In a major blow to the Bangladesh cricket team, opening batter Tamim Iqbal has been ruled out of the highly anticipated one-off Test match against Afghanistan. The match is scheduled to commence on Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, reports UNB.
Tamim's absence from the team comes as a result of persistent lower back pain that has been troubling him in recent times. Despite extensive treatment and rehabilitation efforts by the doctors, the experienced opener's condition has not improved sufficiently to allow him to participate in the Test match.
The left-handed batsman has been grappling with stiffness and pain while batting and fielding during training sessions, hindering his ability to prepare adequately for the five-day format. As a result, the medical team made the difficult decision to rule him out of the crucial encounter.
The national team management, along with the coaching staff, will now have to make the necessary adjustments to their batting order to compensate for Tamim's absence. The onus will fall on the remaining batsmen to step up and deliver against a challenging Afghan bowling attack.
Bangladesh is already facing injury concerns, with all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan also unavailable due to an injury. Shakib's absence means that the Tigers will have to face Afghanistan without their main spinner and an influential figure in the team.
On the other hand, Afghanistan is also dealing with their own injury setbacks, as their star bowler Rashid Khan will be absent from the match due to injury. Both teams will have to make do without key players, creating an intriguing contest between two Asian rivals.
The first Test match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan took place in 2019, with Afghanistan emerging victorious. Bangladesh, eager to prove their mettle in Test cricket, will be determined to seek redemption and showcase their improved skills on home soil.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
