T20 World Cup 2024: Huge Setback For Bangladesh As Pacer Mohammad Shoriful Doubtful For Sri Lanka Clash

New York: Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam is in doubt for the team’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign opener against Sri Lanka on June 8. The left-arm fast bowler suffered a split webbing between the index finger and middle finger while fielding during Bangladesh’s warm-up game against India on Saturday at the Nassau County Cricket International Stadium.

The incident took place when he tried to stop a drive from Hardik Pandya in the final over of the Indian innings. Soon after he was taken off the ground for treatment. Bangladesh lost the game by 60 runs after failing to chase the target of 183.

“He got six stitches,” Debabrata Chowdhury, Bangladesh team physician informed. “After initial medical attention, he was taken to Nassau University Medical Centre. The hand surgeon administered six stitches. We will visit him again after two days. We will know then how much time it will take for Shoriful to return,” he added.

Shoriful thus joins fellow pacer Taskin Ahmed in the list of injuries. The team management is trying very hard to make Taskin fit before the first game, who had also missed Bangladesh’s three-match T20I series against the USA, which they lost 2-1.

Shoriful is now racing against time as he has six days to recover ahead of their opening game in Texas. He was one of the brightest points in the warm-up game, taking one wicket for 26 runs in his four overs. Besides, Shoriful and Taskin, Bangladesh have olny Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Hasan Sakib as the other two fast bowlers.