Major setback for Bangladesh, Mahmudullah to miss the series opener against India

Major setback for Bangladesh, Mahmudullah to miss the series opener against India: Bangladesh cricket team suffered a major blow just ahead of the only test against the Indian side.  With their World Cup hero and middle order mainstay Mahmudullah Riyad suffering a fracture in the index finger of his left hand, that he sustain during a training session on Thursday. All-rounder Nasir Hussain has been called in as replacement for Mahmudullah in the Bangladesh squad.

The 29-year-old was a vital part of Bangladesh’s brilliant run in the World Cup before getting knocked out in quarters. Mahmudullah was the best batsman for his team in the mega-event and scored 365 runs in six games including two back to hundreds and a fifty.

Bangladesh team physiotherapist Bayedul Islan said, “Mahmudullah hurt the index finger on his left hand while attempting a catch during training today. X-rays revealed a fracture which usually takes three to four weeks to heal.”

In other incident, Bangladesh suffered another setback as ODI skipper Mashrafe Mortaza was hurt in a road accident while travelling in a cycle rickshaw, which grazed against a bus resulting in the pacer sustaining minor injuries to both his hands.

According to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) sources, the injury was not too serious for Mortaza, who is not a part of the Test squad. He is expected to take the field for the one-day series.

Bangladesh will play the one-off Test against India at Fatullah from June 10 followed by three-match ODI series, starting June 18.