Liton Das ruled out of T20 series against Australia, Shakib, Mustafizur likley to miss first few games

Star Bangladesh batsman Liton Das has pulled out of the five-match T20I series against Australia. The right-hand batsman left the team’s bio-bubble and flew back home to be with his ailing family member. Earlier, Das was set to miss the first two games due to a thigh injury which he picked up on the Zimbabwe tour but now Bangladesh Cricket Board has confirmed that Das will miss the entire series.

“Liton is expected to return home soon as he wants to be there for the family member who is sick. He was not available for the opening two T20s and we cannot say anything if someone says that he wants to be with his ailing family members,” BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Akram Khan said

Apart from Das, Bangladesh will also miss the services of Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal. Rahim pulled out of the Zimbabwe series to be with his sick parents. The wicketkeeper was expected to play the Australia series but missed the deadline to complete the isolation. As per COVID-19 protocols for the Australia series, players need to serve 10 days in the bubble before being allowed to join the squad. Meanwhile, Tamim is struggling with a knee injury and will need at least two months to regain full fitness. The southpaw is likely to be back for the England series before the T20 World Cup.

There are few other injury concerns for Bangladesh as Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan and Soumya Sarkar are also dealing with injuries. While Rahman is struggling with an ankle injury, Soumya Sarkar and Shakib Al Hasan are also in doubt following a groin niggle. The teams are expected to land in Dhaka on July 29 before they undergo quarantine for three days. They play the first game on August 3 at the Shere Bangla Stadium in Dhaka.