BAN vs AFG: Naveen-ul-Haq To Undergo Knee Surgery, Ruled Out Of T20I Series Against Bangladesh

Afghanistan fast-bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on Saturday.

The pacer will undergo surgery on his knee after suffering an injury. The ACB took to Twitter to announce that Naveen-ul-Haq would travel to the United Kingdom for the surgery and will miss the upcoming T20I assignment against Bangladesh. The cricket board also stated that the surgery would be a minor one.

Naveen-ul-Haq has been replaced by Nijat Masoud in the Afghanistan squad. The 24-year-old has played 1 Test and 3 T20Is so far. He made his Test debut last month against Bangladesh and picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Masoud made his T20I last year during the tour of Zimbabwe and has not played a T20I since that series.

“Naveen Ul Haq to Undergo Knee Surgery, Replaced by Nijat Masoud. Afghanistan’s right-arm quick @imnaveenulhaq has suffered a knee injury and is expected to visit a Knee Injuries specialist in the United Kingdom for minor surgery.

“Unfortunately, Naveen will not be part of Afghanistan’s upcoming @BCBtigers T20I series and has been replaced by Nijat Masoud. We wish him a swift recovery and look forward to his return to the team,” ACB wrote on Twitter.

? Injury Update | Naveen Ul Haq to Undergo Knee Surgery, Replaced by Nijat Masoud

Afghanistan’s right-arm quick, @imnaveenulhaq, has suffered a knee injury and is expected to visit a Knee Injuries specialist in the United Kingdom for minor surgery. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/QfTZ0II5c9

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) July 8, 2023

Afghanistan eye series win:

Meanwhile, Afghanistan will be looking to win the ODI series against Bangladesh. They won the first ODI by 17 runs (DLS method) and will have a chance to wrap up the series on Saturday when the second ODI gets underway. A win on Saturday will give Bangladesh an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. After the ODIs, both teams will play two T20Is.

Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah