Bangladesh 50-over captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza is likely to miss the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting on July 22. The second and third ODIs will be played on July 25 and 28 in Guyana and St Kitts respectively.
The veteran paceman has taken the decision to be beside his ill wife. Chief national selector Minhajul Abedin informed Dhaka Tribune that they will wait till Friday to hear from the Tigers ODI skipper before naming a replacement.
"Mashrafe has informed us of the issue. His wife is severely ill and needs medical attention. The players of the ODI squad are set to travel Saturday so we will wait till then to hear from him, and then make a decision," said chief of the national selection panel Minhajul to Dhaka Tribune Wednesday.
Bangladesh playing XI for the first Test. #BANvWI
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Minhajul said finding Mashrafe’s replacement will not be a big task and hoped for the quick recovery of the Bangladesh ODI captain’s wife. In the pace attack, the Tigers can count on the likes of Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Haider and Abu Jayed. Test and T20I skipper Shakib al Hasan is all set to take charge in Mashrafe’s absence.
Meanwhile, pacer Shafiul Islam has suffered an ankle injury during training Tuesday and has been ruled out of action for at least five weeks. Shafiul as a result will be unavailable for the second and final Test match against the West Indies, starting Thursday.
