Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam to be available for opening Test against Sri Lanka
India Today
The 20-year-old Shoriful Islam missed the two-match Test series against South Africa due to an ankle injury.
Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam is set to take part in the opening Test against Sri Lanka to be played from Sunday, May 15 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Earlier, the Young Turk couldn’t take part in the two-match Test series against South Africa due to an ankle injury.
Thereafter, it was reported that the Panchagor-born speedster would travel abroad to undergo an operation after having abdominal issues. Shoriful was included in the squad for the opening Test, but his selection was subject to fitness. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) deemed him fit for the red-ball matches at home.
Taskin Ahmed, in the meantime, missed the bus for Bangladesh’s upcoming home Tests. The 27-year-old pacer is recovering from a shoulder injury and the BCB was planning to send him to England for further treatment.
"He (Shoriful) is available for us from the opening Test against Sri Lanka as he will not require any operation at the moment. It will be a big boost for us considering we are also missing the service of Taskin (Ahmed) at the moment," BCB's chief selector Minhajul Abedin was quoted as saying on Cricbuzz.
Apart from Shoriful, the Tigers have Shohidul Islam, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain for the first Test. Abu Jayed Rahi missed the bus, after which the 28-year-old pacer from Sylhet expressed his disappointment.
The Sri Lankan team is scheduled to reach Bangladesh on May 8, after which they will take part in a two-day practice match from May 11 at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram. The second and final Test of the series will take place from May 23 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
