Bangladesh recalls Abul Hasan for Afghan T20s

The medium-pacer will replace Mustafizur Rahman, who was ruled out after sustaining a toe injury during the IPL.

Abul Hasan has played four Twenty20 Internationals for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh recalled medium-pacer Abul Hasan to replace the injured Mustafizur Rahman for next month’s Twenty20 series against Afghanistan in India.

Mustafizur was ruled out after sustaining a toe injury during an Indian Premier League match for Mumbai Indians on May 20. Afghanistan will host Bangladesh for the first-ever T20 series between the countries in the Indian city of Dehradun from June 3 to 7.

A week later Afghanistan will play its inaugural Test, against India in Bangalore from June 14.

‘Grassy’ pitch

Selectors delayed announcing Mustafizur's replacement until learning more about the newly-laid pitch at Dehradun's Rajeev Gandhi International Stadium. “It was a new ground so we wanted feedback from the team,” said chief selector Minhajul Abedin.

“They reached Dehradun on Tuesday and found the pitch a bit grassy, so we decided to send a pace bowler. Otherwise we would have sent a spinner.”

Abul's last four Twenty20 internationals were against Pakistan in 2012. Afghanistan is ranked eighth on the Twenty20 international ranking, two places ahead of Bangladesh.