The Bangladeshi think-tank is mulling resting wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim for the Afghanistan game.
The thought has been strengthened from the fact that Bangladesh have already qualified as Sri Lanka lost their second and last group game against Afghanistan Monday.
That meant the Tigers’ final group stage match against Afghanistan tomorrow will have just academic interest as there is no carryover of points into the Super four.
A win in the game will move Bangladesh forward in the tournament as Group B champion while a defeat will make them runners-up.
That however, will not have any serious consequence as per the regulation of the tournament.
Five-time Asia Cup champion Sri Lanka started the tournament on a losing note to Bangladesh and then suffered a 91-run defeat against the Afghans to be eliminated early.
With qualification guaranteed, the Bangladesh team management is thinking of resting Mushfiq, while looking into a possible replacement in Mominul Haque or Ariful Haque.
Mushfiq has been dealing with a sprained rib injury and was a concern for Bangladesh’s game against Sri Lanka Saturday.
Despite the injury, the 31-year old not only played the game but also became the man of the match.
Mushfiq hit a belligerent knock of 144, his best in ODIs so far, that helped the Tigers post 261 from a precarious start.
They then bundled out the opponent for just 124.
Bangladesh have already lost opener Tamim Iqbal to a severe wrist injury in the Sri Lanka game.
With the Tigers progressing into the second round already, it is understood that the Bangladesh management wants Mushfiq to rest and come back stronger in the second round.
The right-handed batsman was also rested from the team’s training session in Dubai Monday.
The right-handed batsman is in red-hot form and he may chose to keep it running before facing the likes of India and Pakistan in the Super Four.
So, the final call about him is to come a day ahead of the Afghanistan game and having lost a vital batsman in the shape of Tamim, Bangladesh will be careful in dealing with an in-form Mushfiq.
