Big blow! Bangladesh star pacer ruled out of Asia Cup 2023  

Bangladesh's aim of having a successful campaign in the 2023 Asia Cup has suffered an early setback as pacer Ebadot Hossain has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury. Hossain was included in the 17-man squad for the 50-over tournament, but his injury is still a concern and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) does not want to take any risks with the upcoming ODI World Cup in mind.

The right-arm seamer sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Bangladesh's ODI series against Afghanistan last month. BCB chief sports physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury said the board will also consider overseas treatment in an effort to bring back their star ahead of the mega event in India later this year.

"Ebadot had undergone six weeks of rehab following the injury. We have had multiple MRIs done during this time and the reports suggest that his ACL is still a concern and requires further management. Therefore, he misses out on the Asia Cup," BCB Chief Sports Physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury said.

"Considering the importance of the Bangladesh team's next major event, which is the ICC World Cup in October, the BCB is committed to exploring every safe medical option available for getting Ebadot back to full fitness and playing as early as possible, including consultation and treatment overseas," he added.

Strength of young players has increased in Bangladesh squad

Uncapped pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib has been named Hossain's replacement. The 20-year-old was a member of Bangladesh's U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2020 squad and was impressive in the 2023 ACC Emerging Men's Asia Cup, taking nine wickets in three games. The Shakib Al Hasan-led ODI squad also has four other players who were part of the 2020 U-19 World Cup team - Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, Shamim Hossain, and Tanzid Hasan Tamim.

Updated Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib