Shohidul out of WI tour due to injury

Pacer Shohidul Islam has been ruled out of Bangladesh's upcoming multi-format tour of the West Indies with a side strain, informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today. 

Bangladesh are scheduled to travel to the West Indies in the first week of June for two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. The series starts with the first Test in Antigua on June 16. And right-arm pacer Shohidul, who played his only T20I against Pakistan last year, was included in the Test and T20I squads for the tour. 

"Shohidul picked up a side strain during training. It will take him about four to six weeks' time to recover," informed BCB physician Monjurul Hossain Chowdhury to The Daily Star. 

BCB is yet to name any replacement for the 27-year-old pacer. However, selector Habibul Bashar informed that Hasan Mahmud, if fit, could be the one traveling to the West Indies. 

"If Hasan stays fit, he is likely to replace Shohidul in the squad. But we have not made a decision and have not named anyone," Bashar informed. 

Mahmud suffered from a stiff back and had to return midway from a series away to New Zealand in January 2021. The pacer has not been able to play any game for the national team since then. But the young right-arm pacer has recently cleared the fitness test.