Bangladesh suffered a big blow when captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was ruled out of the two-match Test series against the West Indies later this month owing to a groin strain.聽
He is the second key member of the team to be sidelined for the Caribbean Test series after veteran Mushfiqur Rahim.
The absence of Mushfiq means Bangladesh will go into a Test series for the first time in 16 years without any of Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal or him.
Shanto, who sustained the injury during his match-winning knock of 76 against Afghanistan, was also unavailable for the series-deciding third ODI at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the side in the absence of Shanto in the final ODI.
Bangladesh Cricket Board revealed in a statement that an MRI of Shanto was done after the second ODI, and it confirmed that the skipper would even be unavailable for the Test series in the West Indies.
鈥楽hanto underwent an MRI in Sharjah after the second ODI. We have received the team physio's report and the scan report, which has confirmed a Grade II strain on his left groin,鈥� said BCB's senior physician, Debashis Chowdhury.
鈥楾his will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. He has been ruled out of the third ODI against Afghanistan and will also be unavailable for the Test series in the West Indies,鈥� he further said, adding that Shanto's condition will be assessed after two weeks.聽
Shanto will return home from the UAE to continue his rehab,鈥� Chowdhury informed.
BCB is yet to name Shanto's replacement for the West Indies Test series, but it is highly likely that Mehidy will lead in the Test series as well.