Asian Cup | Bangladesh receive morale boost as Shakib Al Hasan included in 15-man squad

Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was a huge doubt for the upcoming 2018 Asia Cup which involved India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka as well. The high-flying Bangladesh cricketer suffered a finger injury during the tri-nation series involving Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in Bangladesh earlier this year. 

There were speculations surrounding the star all-rounder as reports emerged that he was expected to undergo a surgery on his injured finger during the Asia Cup. But BCB president, Nazmul Hasan, squashed all those claims as he included the left-hander in the 15-man squad that will compete in the Asian competition next month.

"I have spoken with him [Shakib Al Hasan] in Medina and he said that he will do the operation after the Asia Cup. I asked him if it is possible to do the operation after the Asia Cup - during the series against Zimbabwe I feel that it will be more challenging at the Asia Cup," Hasan told Cricbuzz.

Shakib will be expected to join the Bangladesh squad on September 6 as the all-rounder left for USA on Thursday after returning from Hajj on yesterday. Meanwhile, Mashrafe Mortaza, who led Bangladesh in the ODI series against West Indies tour, will lead the side for the Asian event. Bangladesh have reached the finals two out of the last three times they have participated in the tournament.

The inclusion of all-rounder Sabbir Rahman was up in clouds as reports emerged that he would be dropped on disciplinary grounds after he landed himself in trouble for allegedly abusing a fan on social media. Hasan confirmed the same as he said, "Sabbir is called by the disciplinary committee. Naturally, as he is not in the squad, this is an impact of his [off-field issues].''

Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Haider Rony.