Tigers hit by freak injuries

Bangladesh have been hit by two injuries at a particularly opportune moment, both in bizarre fashion. Mashrafe Mortaza has twisted his ankle falling down the stairs at his home, while Syed Rasel has injured his foot in a motorbiking accident.

Both players are touch and go for the Champions’ Trophy tournament in India next month, and with Bangladesh looking to spring a few surprises, their presence in the lineup will be crucial. Mortaza is expected to resume training in roughly ten days or so, but the news on Rasel was less optimistic for the Tigers’ selectors.

Rasel’s foot is not healing as quickly as expected following his injury last week, and the absence of the two pacemen would, remarkably, leave Shahadat Hossain as the only fit pace bowler in Bangladesh’s 14-man squad for the tournament. The selectors will be hoping for better news, and soon.