Asia Cup 2018: Tamim Iqbal Doubtful For Tournament-Opener After Injuring Finger

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal is in a race against time to be fit for his side’s Asia Cup-opener against Sri Lanka on September 15.

Ahead of their Asia Cup campaign, Bangladesh have suffered a huge injury blow. Their batting mainstay and star opener Tamim Iqbal reportedly injured his finger during fielding practice. According to local reports, initially the injury did not look serious enough.

However, the Tigers are taking no chance and have added Mominul Haque to the squad as a backup.

Chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu said:

“Tamim has hurt his finger. So we have keep Mominul Haque as possible replacement if need be. He (Mominul) could play in case of necessity.”

The latest blow has further piled misery on the Tigers before the Asia Cup. World number one all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is also doubtful for the tournament due to a finger injury. Shakib had sustained the injury during the final of the tri-nation Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka in January. He later missed the following home T20I and Test series against the island nation.

He later returned to action but made it clear after the tour of West Indies that his finger required surgery.

Shakib has been added to the squad but there is still ambiguity over his fitness.

Last but not the least, another Bangladesh top order batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto is also carrying a left finger injury. He too had suffered the injury during the fielding practice.

Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in the opening game of the Asia Cup on September 15.

Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup:

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Captain), Shakib Al Hasan (Vice-captain), Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Mithun, Litton Kumar Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Nazmul Islam Apu, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Abu Hider Rony.