'Fizz's absence a chance for others'

While admitting that the eleventh-hour loss of crucial pacer Mustafizur Rahman because of a toe injury ahead of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan was a disappointing setback, Bangladesh's interim head coach Courtney Walsh said that it was a big opportunity for the others to showcase their talent.

The Bangladesh team reached Dehradun in the afternoon yesterday and the Afghanistan Cricket Board arranged a press conference last night with Walsh, team manager Khaled Mahmud, vice-captain MahmudullahRiyad and senior wicketkeeper-batsmanMushfiqur Rahim at the Hotel Regenta LP Vilas, where the Tigers will stay throughout the series.

"We still have a very good team. Unfortunately, he [Mustafizur] got injured, so he will be missed but its an opportunity for the others to prove their worth. Obviously it's disappointing but we have to see the positives too and I expect someone else to step up," said Walshduring the press conference yesterday.

Mushfiqurechoed Walsh's sentiments andsaid that there was nothing to do if a player is injured, as it is a part of the game and they will look to play as a unit rather than relying on any one individual.

The players will have a team meeting today and will start the training from 2:00 pm local time at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket stadium. Bangladesh will take part in a practice game on June 1 before taking on Afghanistan in the first of the three-match series on June 3.

On May 20, Mustafizur injured his toe while trying to stop a ball during an IPL match for Mumbai Indians and was subsequently ruled out of the tour on Monday night.