The Tigers left the country for Sri Lanka to play the Asia Cup. A flight carrying them left Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:55 pm on Sunday. However, wicketkeeper and batsman Liton Das could not go due to illness.
Asia Cup starts on August 30 in Sri Lanka. Experienced opener Tamim Iqbal is not in the Bangladesh team in this big tournament. He is resting to work on his fitness. So Liton Das is expected to play the role of Tamim. But at such a time Litton’s illness is causing concern among Tiger fans.
Cricket Operations Chairman Jalal Younis told reporters that Liton has a fever, although the dengue test has come back negative. Liton will leave for Sri Lanka if he recovers. And if his illness does not subside, alternatives will be considered.
Meanwhile, Ibadat Hossain did not join the party. In his place, young pacer Tanjim Hasan Shakib, who was recently called up to the team, has been replaced. Tanjim will reportedly join the team in Sri Lanka on a separate flight.
The Bangladesh team will reach Kandy on Sunday via Colombo. The Tigers’ Asia Cup mission will begin with a match against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele ground in Kandy on August 31. Shakib Al Hasan’s team will leave for Pakistan to play the next match against Afghanistan.
(27 Aug/SI/FA)