Hamstring injury rules out Shakib Al Hasan from Pakistan T20Is

Bangladesh are set to take on Pakistan in a three-match T20I and two-Test series after the 20-20 World Cup. The team will be hoping for a change in fortunes after a dismal outing in the 20-20 World Cup where they lost all their games in the Super 12s. Ahead of the series, Bangladesh have been dealt with a grim news as Shakib Al Hasan won't be part of the series. The star all-rounder had picked up the hamstring injury in a 20-20 World Cup game against West Indies and was ruled out of the showpiece event. However, the southpaw is likely to return for the two-match Test series.

“Shakib will take at least three weeks to recover and get back to the field. He might be able to play the Test series,” Bangladesh Cricket Board’s chief physician Debashish Chowdhury was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz

On the flip side, wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan, who too missed the last three games for Bangladesh due t0 abdominal pain is likely to be fit for the series. The series will begin on November 19, with the second and third T20I to be played on November 20 and 22 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The two Tests will be played from November 26-30 and December 4-8.

Speaking about Pakistan, the team has been on a roll in the 20-20 World Cup and have qualified for the semifinals of the showpiece event undefeated. They are looking  prime contenders to win their second 20-20 World Cup title. Given the recent form, Bangladesh will have a mammoth task of stopping Pakistan's juggernaut. However, they will take heart from the fact that they defeated Australia and New Zealand recently at home.