Flamboyant Bangladesh opener, Tamim Iqbal is likely to miss the first match of the upcoming Asia Cup 2018 with a finger injury starting from September 15.
Meanwhile, they will start their campaign against Sri Lanka in the curtain raiser at Dubai. However, this untimely injury will be a setback for the team, who were on a roll in the recent Windies series.
Tamim Iqbal damaged his finger during practicing fielding drills that did not seem to be severe enough at the first stage. Bangladesh chief selector Minhajul Abedin named experienced Mominul Haque as his replacement.
“Tamim has hurt his finger. So we have to keep Mominul Haque as a possible replacement if need be. He (Mominul) could play in case of necessity,” Abedin said.
However, the list of injured players for Bangladesh is getting more significant day by day. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is also under threatening state due to a finger injury. Furthermore, another Bangladesh top order batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto is carrying a left finger injury which was also inflicted during the fielding practice.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza earlier admitted their primary goal is to advance to the next stage.
”I think every team is a threat for us. ”If you look at the bowling strength of Afghanistan and all-round potency of the Sri Lankans, anything can happen. So for us, the opening game is the most important,” Mortaza said.
Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup 2018:
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.