The last visit to Zimbabwe brought some kind of bad news for Bangladesh. Just as Bangladesh lost the series, Bangladesh’s batting pillar Liton Das-Sohan got injured while traveling to Zimbabwe. While the news of Liton’s elimination from the Asia Cup is old, Sohan’s hope for the Asia Cup remains alive.
It was believed that he would finally be able to play in the Asia Cup after recovering from a hand injury. But eventually Sohan’s Asia Cup ended as he failed to recover. On the other hand, the young pacer Hasan Mahmood of the Tigers ended the Asia Cup due to an injury in practice.
Opener Naeem Sheikh was not included in the squad announced by Bangladesh for the Asia Cup. Naeem Sheikh has been called to return to the Bangladesh team due to Sohan’s injury. Sohan-Hasan’s injuries have been a blessing in disguise for him. Two cricketers left the team due to injury. Naeem came in as a replacement.
Naeem last played T20I against Afghanistan in March last year. He was not even in the initial team of the Asia Cup. But Sohan, who got a place in the initial squad, injured his finger during the tour of Zimbabwe. Naeem was called instead.
Pacer Hasan Mahmud injured his right ankle during practice on August 20. He will not be able to stay in the field due to ligament injury.
Naeem is currently on the West Indies tour for the Bangladesh ‘A’ team. Naeem was supposed to return home after the West Indies tour. But he is staying in Dubai on his way back because of getting a place in the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh will play against Afghanistan on August 30. The Tigers will leave Dhaka at 5:15 on Tuesday for Dubai. Let’s see if Naeem can fulfil the team’s expectations if given a chance.