Bangladesh fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza has been ruled out for the rest of the Asia Cup due to a side strain, dealing a further blow to the depleted hosts.
“Mashrafe won’t play in the Asia Cup and we will see if he can be fit for the World Twenty20,” team physiotherapist Vibhav Singh told reporters in Dhaka.
Bangladesh, who lost their opening match to India by six wickets, have named seamer Shafiul Islam as Mortaza’s replacement in the 15-man squad for the one-day tournament.
Mortaza, 30, is one of Bangladesh’s most experienced players with 165 wickets in 133 ODIs.
The hosts are already without flamboyant opener Tamim Iqbal due to a neck injury, while premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is serving a ban.
Also, skipper Mushfiqur Rahim is not guaranteed to start against Afghanistan after hurting his right shoulder while fielding against India.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Umar Akmal may have rescued his team with a fighting ton in the Asia Cup, but he is still in trouble with the law.
A court has summoned the 23-year-old to appear before on March 11 to face charges of jumping a traffic signal and then scuffling with a warden.
The batsman was arrested by police in Lahore on February 1 before being released on bail.
An official said that a local sessions court had issued an order for Akmal to appear on March 11.
