Taskin Ahmed ruled out of one-off Ireland Test due to side strain

Taskin Ahmed. (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed has been ruled out of the one-off Test against Ireland, owing to a side strain. The 28-year-old sustained the injury during the recently concluded three-match T20I series between Bangladesh and Ireland. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is yet to name a replacement for the bowler.

Bangladesh players have started practice for the Test match since Sunday, April 2. Taskin was also present during the training session but did not bowl at the nets. Notably, the Test match is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 4, in Dhaka.

According to various reports, Rejaur Rahman Raja could replace Taskin in the squad. Taskin will need at least two weeks to recover from the side strain injury, according to BCB’s medical department. He has been in excellent form for Bangladesh, taking 13 wickets in the recently concluded white ball series against Ireland.

Due to injury, Taskin was unable to play until the end of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He also missed the last few matches of Dhaka Dominators. However, he played two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against England after being fit, and he played in all three subsequent series.

BCB announces Bangladesh squad for one-off Test against Ireland

On Sunday, April 1, BCB announced the Bangladesh squad for the upcoming Test match against Ireland. There are several changes in the squad for the upcoming Test, including the return of Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Ebadot Hossain, and Shoriful Islam. Shadman Islam replaces Zakir Hasan, who is ruled out due to a left thumb injury. Nasum Ahmed, Yasir Ali, and Nurul Hasan among others were also left out of the team.

Bangladesh squad for Ireland Test: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Litton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy