Soumya Sarkar ruled out of Pakistan T20Is; Bangladesh name replacement

The Bangladesh national cricket team has suffered a setback ahead of their three-match T20I series against the Pakistan national cricket team. All-rounder Soumya Sarkar has been ruled out due to a lower back injury, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the development on Thursday.

Pakistan is scheduled to host Bangladesh for a three-match T20 series, starting on May 28. The Bangladesh team is expected to arrive in Lahore on May 25 and will have a few days to acclimatize. Notably, the visiting team has scheduled training sessions on May 26 and 27 ahead of the opening match.

Soumya Sarkar Ruled Out of Pakistan T20Is

Soumya Sarkar missed the recent three-match T20I series against the UAE, which Bangladesh lost 2-1. The team’s physiotherapist, Bayjedul Islam Khan, revealed that Soumya has been experiencing pain on the right side of his lower back for the past week.

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After a medical assessment, it was decided that Soumya Sarkar needed about 10 to 12 days of rehabilitation. The all-rounder has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan.

"Following medical evaluation, it has been determined that the injury requires an extended rehabilitation period of approximately 10 to 12 days. This effectively means he will not be available for next week's three-match series in Pakistan," Bayjedul said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz Replaces Injured Soumya Sarkar for Pakistan T20Is

Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been recalled to Bangladesh’s T20I squad for the upcoming series in Pakistan, replacing Soumya Sarkar. The 27-year-old last appeared in a T20I during Bangladesh’s tour of the West Indies in December. He was not part of the recent three-match T20I series in the UAE.

Miraz is currently in Pakistan playing for Lahore Qalandars, led by Shaheen Afridi, in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season. The team is scheduled to face Karachi Kings in the Eliminator match on May 22.

After the PSL concludes, Miraz is expected to join the rest of the Bangladesh squad in Lahore ahead of their series against Pakistan, which starts on May 28 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Bangladesh to Miss Several Key Figures on Pakistan Tour

The T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh has been reduced from five matches to three due to rising political tensions between India and Pakistan. All three games will be played in Lahore between May 28 and June 1.

Bangladesh will be without several key figures for this tour. Fast bowler Nahid Rana, fielding coach James Pamment, and trainer Nathan Kiely have opted out of the series.

Meanwhile, Mustafizur Rahman is expected to join the squad after finishing his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 commitments. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain has rejoined the Lahore Qalandars ahead of the Eliminator clash against the Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Bangladesh's updated squad for Pakistan T20Is: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vc), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Shoriful Islam

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