BAN vs SL: Jaker Ali replaces Aliss Islam in T20I squad

In a recent development, the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Saturday regarding changes in the T20I squad preparing for the upcoming match against Sri Lanka. Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali Anik will be replacing off-spinner Aliss Al Islam, who is sidelined due to a finger injury sustained while playing for Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

The national team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan confirmed the news, revealing that Aliss has a right middle finger MCP joint ligament sprain, leading to swelling. His recovery is expected to take two to three weeks, ruling him out of the series. 

"Aliss underwent an MRI, confirming a right middle finger MCP joint ligament sprain and swelling. His recovery is estimated to take two to three weeks, thus ruling him out of the series." national Team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said in a statement on Saturday, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Talking about Jaker Ali, he caught the selectors' attention with an impressive performance for Comilla Victorians in the recent BPL, scoring 199 runs at an average of 99.5 and a strike rate of 141. Gazi Ashraf Hossain, chairman of the selection panel, explained the decision to include Jaker Ali as a middle-order batter, emphasising the team's need for balance. He stated that instead of adding another spinner to replace Aliss, Jaker Ali's inclusion would enhance the team's middle or lower-middle order and provide finishing capabilities.

"In addition to Aliss, we have three other frontline spinners in Rishad (Hossain), Taijul (Islam), and Shak Mahedi (Hasan) in the T20 squad," said Ashraf. "We believe that instead of adding another spinner to replace Aliss, the team's balance would be better served by including someone like Jaker Ali, who can bolster the middle or lower-middle order and serve as a finisher," he said.

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The first match of the three-match T20I series is scheduled to take place on March 4 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet. Subsequently, the second and third matches will also be held at the same venue on March 6 and 9, respectively.