Shafiul Islam set to replace Al-Amin Hossain in Bangladesh squad at World Cup
As reported earlier, Bangladeshi pacer Al-Amin Hossain has been sent home from World Cup for breaking the team curfew. Al-Amin was booted out of the tournament for returning to the team hotel in Brisbane after the 10pm deadline. Now, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved Shafiul Islam to join Bangladesh's World Cup squad as "an exceptional circumstance."
The 25-year-old did not feature in the team's opening 105-run win over Afghanistan and their second match against Australia, which was washed out in Brisbane at the weekend.
The ICC has issued a statement on Monday saying Shafiul, who has played 52 one-day internationals for Bangladesh, had been approved to join the 15-man squad as "an exceptional circumstance."
Shafiul Islam has played 52 ODIs for the Bangladesh national team, in which he has scored 124 runs and taken 58 wickets. His last ODI was against Zimbabwe in Dhaka in November 2014.
"I was a little disappointed [when left out of the original World Cup squad] but now I am joining the team," Shafiul told the Dhaka-based news portal thereport24. "It feels great to be part of the World Cup squad. I would want to repeat the performance from the last World Cup. I am surprised with the sudden call-up. I have a responsibility now, and I would like to give it my best when called up in the playing XI."
Bangladesh currently lead Sri Lanka in the Group A table with 1 point and the win against their Asian counter-part will give a huge boost for cementing their position into knockout stages. They take on Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.