Bangladesh fast bowler Mohammad Saifuddin has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 with back issues after complaining of pain in the lower back on Wednesday (October 27).
Saifuddin has been replaced by the senior fast bowler Rubel Hossain in the Bangladesh squad ahead of their next game in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021 clash against England to be played in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The 24-year-old had the back issue in the 2019 World Cup as well.
It is being said that Saifuddin complained of pain on the left side of his back after Bangladesh’s last game against Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2021. He returned with figures of 1/38 in his 3 overs against Sri Lanka.
Rubel was added to Bangladesh’s 15-man squad after the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 approved the replacement.
The ICC stated in an official release, “Rubel was a reserve as per the allowance for teams to travel with extra players in view of COVID-19 quarantine requirements.”
Notably, the committee consists of Chris Tetley (Head of Events, Chair), Clive Hitchcock (ICC Senior Cricket Operations Manager), Rahul Dravid, and Dhiraj Malhotra (BCCI Representatives), Simon Doull, and Ian Bishop (Independent Members).
Meanwhile, Rabeed Imam, senior manager media & communications of BCB, told Cricbuzz: “We will understand the gravity of his injury after he returns back to Bangladesh but since he cannot make a comeback in the tournament we opted for a replacement.”
Noteworthy, Rubel has so far played 159 international matches, including 28 T20Is for Bangladesh, and was a reserve player in the side for the T20 World Cup 2021.
(With PTI Inputs)
