In a major blow for Bangladesh ahead of the tri-nation T20I series, involving India and Sri Lanka, star all-rounder and captain Shakib Al Hasan has been ruled out of the Nidahas Trophy as he failed to recover from the finger injury sustained in January, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has said. (Nidahas Trophy: Full Schedule, Squads, Venue)
Shakib has been replaced by batsman Litton Das in the squad, which will now be led by Mahmudullah. Bangladesh will play their first match against India on March 8.
The BCB had initially named Shakib in the 16-member squad but eventually decided to rest the 30-year-old all-rounder so that he gets enough time to recover.
Shakib injured his left little finger during Bangladesh's ODI tri-series final against Sri Lanka in Mirpur on January 27 and missed the subsequent Test and T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Shakib, who is the World No.1 all-rounder in the Test and ODI formats, went to Thailand for consultation and has been asked to continue physiotherapy.
