Shafiul Islam Ruled Out of the Second Test Against Windies
Updated - 10 Jan 2019, 02:01 AM
The Bogra-born 28-year-old Bangladesh seamer Shafiul Islam has sustained a right ankle injury while fielding during a practice session on Thursday. With this recent blow, he will miss the second Test match against Windies starting at Sabina Park on July 12.
Meanwhile, it will come as a huge blow for the visiting side who are already 1-0 down in the series. However, much to the respite, an X-ray didn’t reveal any bone injury.
National Team Physio Thihan Chandramohan said the current diagnosis was a Grade 2 lateral ligament sprain with medial bone bruising.
“He is unavailable for selection for the 2nd Test and will likely be unavailable for three to six weeks depending on further assessment. He will remain with team and travel home after the match. We expect the acute swelling to reduce by that time,” Chandramohan told reporters.
The 11-Test veteran didn’t feature in the last game, however, stood a chance for this game after their debacle in Antigua.
The team from the subcontinent, however, will look to regroup themselves ahead of the second Test. They didn’t just get bowled out for 43 in the first innings, but barely improved during the second innings. Furthermore, to top it off, they bowled poorly, too.
The onus is on the likes of experienced campaigners like Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad to bail them out. But it won’t be an easy task against an in-form Windies side.
So, Bangladesh is likely to go in with one extra batsman who would further burden Shakib’s all-round duties during the five-day format.
