DHAKA, Aug 20, 2022 (BSS)- Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud, who showed an
impressive performance in the Zimbabwe series, is unlikely to play the Asia
Cup after sustaining an ankle injury during the Tigers training session at
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

"We've received the X-ray report which came well. The swelling of ankle did
not subside. He will rest for two days," the BCB chief physician Dr. Debashis
Chowdhury said.

"If the swelling does not go down after two days we will do an MRI and only
then can I be sure whether he will play in the Asia Cup or not.

But it is learnt it takes two to three weeks to recover from this type of
injury. As such, it is highly unlikely that he will be available in the Asia
Cup.

Hasan made a comeback with the Zimbabwe series after being injured for a long
time. He performed well there and made the cut in the Asia Cup.
 
"Hasan got an injury. It is very unfortunate. Whenever the boy gets into a
good zone, he gets hurt. It's sad," Team director Khaled Mahmud Sujon said.

"Hope he comes back soon. But I don't want to comment as there is no official
decision yet on whether he will be available in the Asia Cup. But it seems
that he might miss the first leg of the Asia Cup."

Regarding whether someone will be included as a replacement, Mahmud said, "We
have not yet thought about who will be his replacement. Tomorrow and the day
after tomorrow we have practice match. We will see what happens there. Then
we will decide."
 
The Asia Cup will start on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In
the first phase, Bangladesh's opponents in 'B' group are Sri Lanka and
Afghanistan. If they can overcome the hurdles of the group stage, they will
get a ticket to the Super Four.

Hasan shined in both format of the white ball during Bangladesh's last tour
of Zimbabwe. He played two T20Is and ODIs and took three wickets each.
However, the visiting Tigers lost both the series 2-1.

Bangladesh's first match in the Asia Cup against Afghanistan will be held on
August 30. Before that, they will catch the UAE flight on August 23. In all,
they will have a week to prepare and cope with the conditions.