Injury likely to keep Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan out of Asia Cup

Fresh off a 2-1 T20I series win against West Indies in the United States of America, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan would be looking to get some time off the field. Shakib, who was instrumental in Bangladesh’s second T20I win at Lauderhill, where he scored 60 runs and took 2/19, has been playing with an injured finger ever since the tri-series final back in January.

Shakib has been vocal about his condition and now it seems that he would miss out on the upcoming 2018 Asia in order to get an operation done. The Bangladesh skipper was forced to leave the field mid-way during the tri-series final and did not return to the pitch for the rest of the match. He also missed the following two-match Test series and two T20Is against Sri Lanka before he made his return halfway through the Nidahas Trophy in March.

Bangladesh Cricket Board have added that they will take a decision soon regarding Shakib’s situation and if they indeed deem it necessary for immediate surgery then the all-rounder will surely miss this year’s Asia Cup.

"I have to do a surgery. So the discussion now is about when to do it. I want it to happen as soon as possible. It will most probably be before the Asia Cup," Shakib told reporters at Hazrat International Airport upon his arrival from the West Indies tour.

The 31-year old heaped praise on his team, who bounced back in the limited-over series after they were destroyed in the two Tests. He believed that the confidence gained from this win would leave the team on a good flow for their Asia Cup campaign.

"It was quite a satisfying performance," he said. "We won trophies in two out of the three series. We don't usually play this well abroad. Naturally the confidence is high in the squad. We can (now) start thinking of something new (to achieve)," Shakib said.