Bangladesh Faces Setback as Key Pacer Ruled Out of ODI Series Decider Against Sri Lanka

Emerging pace bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib will be absent from the crucial final ODI against Sri Lanka due to a right hamstring injury causing him significant discomfort.

Bayjedul Islam Khan, the team physio for Bangladesh, has confirmed that the 21-year-old Sakib is unfit for the decisive ODI, which is set to take place on Monday, 18 March.

“Tanzim is currently dealing with pain and discomfort in his right hamstring. His condition did not improve during today’s training and he is unfit to play in tomorrow’s match,” Khan reported.

In the ODI series opener, Sakib made a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s six-wicket victory by claiming the wickets of Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Related: Sri Lanka Also Suffers Blow as Key Pacer Ruled Out of Final Bangladesh ODI

Hasan Mahmud, a right-arm pacer who last played an ODI for Bangladesh in December 2023 against New Zealand, has been named as Sakib’s replacement.

The three-match ODI series currently stands at 1-1, setting the stage for a thrilling decider. After the ODI series, both teams will compete in two Tests in Sylhet and Chattogram, forming part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.