Nidahas Trophy 2018: Shakib al Hasan to join Bangladesh squad
Bangladesh cricket team star Shakib al Hasan has been added to the Bangladesh squad for the rest of their Nidahas Trophy campaign, which included a match against Sri Lanka, and the final if they defeat the hosts.
A media release from the Bangladesh cricket board confirmed the news and Shakib is expected to join the squad on Thursday.
He was initially ruled out of the tournament due to a finger injury he had picked up back in January during the final of a tri-nation one-day international competition against Sri Lanka in Dhaka.
Due to the injury, he missed the two Tests against Sri Lanka and the two T20Is as well.
Shakib's addition to the squad will be a big boost to the Tigers, who need to win the match against Sri Lanka on Friday to enter the final against India on Sunday.
Led by Mahmudullah, Bangladesh began their Nidahas Trophy campaign with a six-wicket loss to India. They managed to score only 139 in that match, which was chased down with ease by the Indian batsmen.
However, they bounced back in spectacular fashion in their second match of the tournament against the hosts, Sri Lanka. They chased down 214 in 20 overs, thus breaking the record of the highest ever run chase in a T20I by an Asian side.
Unfortunately, they weren't able to carry on the momentum into their second encounter with the Men in Blue, coming up short against them for the seventh time in a row.
Bangladesh will bank on Shakib's experience and all-round ability to help defeat Sri Lanka in the do-or-die encounter in Colombo on Friday. Mushfiqur Rahim, who has been in sensational form, will look to get a big score under his belt once again and help his side reach the final.