Agencies
Youngster Afif Hossain, who suffered an elbow injury is all but sure to play the first game of the five-match Twenty20 International series against New Zealand, starting on Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
He was rested for the last day of practice that raised a possibility of his omission from the series opener. However, captain Mahmudullah Riyad, quelled the doubts, saying that Afif is fit to play.
"Afif is fine now, he will play in tomorrow's match," Mahmudullah said.
The batting all-rounder was not in preparation for the final day on Tuesday. The team management has kept him under observation, giving him rest. He sustained the injury when a rising delivery of fast bowler Taskin Ahmed hit his elbow during a net session on Monday.
The medical department of the BCB immediately informed that the injury was not serious. He however didn’t need any scan or MRI in the injured place.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh have been bolstered by the return of Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das, who missed the Australia series due to strict Covid-19 protocol.
In T20 cricket, New Zealand is rated third in the world, while Bangladesh is placed tenth.
An injury-hit Australia found out just how difficult Bangladesh's slow bowlers can be when they crashed to defeat in a series against them for the first time this month.
New Zealand, who do not have any members of their T20 World Cup squad taking part, are ready for a similar strategy.
The matches will be held behind closed doors on September 1, 3, 5, 8 and 10 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
Bangladesh squad: Mahmudullah Riyad (Captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Kumer Das, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Afif Hossain, Naim Sheikh, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shamim Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam Biplob, Nasum Ahmed.
