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Bangladesh received a massive blow ahead of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka as their frontline spinner Mehidy Hasan has been ruled out of the opening match due to a finger injury.
Notably, the 24-year-old suffered the injury while playing for the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the ongoing edition of the Dhaka Premier League 2022. Mehidy hurt his finger when he tried to take a catch of Tamim Iqbal against Prime Bank Cricketers Club on Sunday, April 24.
Habibul Bashar, one of the members of the selection panel, has confirmed the development surrounding Mehidy that the spinner has been ruled out of the two-match series opener and is also doubtful for the second Test. Nayeem Hasan is set to replace Mehidy in the Test squad. Nayeem has played seven Tests so far, taking 25 wickets for the Bangladesh team.
”He (Mehidy) is definitely ruled out from the opening Test due to a hairline injury while he is also doubtful for the second Test,” said Bashar in a statement.
The Sri Lankan team will land in Bangladesh on May 8 for the two-match series, which is also a part of the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship. The visitors will play a two-day practice match at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram on May 10-11.
The first Test will start on May 15 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, while the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka will host the second Test from May 23.
Here is the updated Bangladesh squad for Sri Lanka Tests:
Mominul Haque (c), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Nurul Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shohidul Islam, Shoriful Islam (subject to fitness) Nayeem Hasan.