Mushfiqur Rahim To Miss Asia Cup Game Against India; BCB Extends Leave
Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan flew back to Bangladesh after SL game (Twitter)
Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh's wicketkeeper batter and one of the pillars of their success over the years, is set to miss Bangladesh's final Asia Cup game against India on 15th of September. After Bangladesh's loss to Sri Lanka in the Super 4s game, both Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan flew back to Bangladesh for their respective personal reasons. Shakib Al Hasan is expected to be available for India game but Rahim who has been blessed with baby girl, has decided to stay back with his young family.
Bangladesh are already out of final's race with India sealing one spot and Sri Lanka and Pakistan in with a chance to take the second spot.
According to the BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Mohammed Jalal Yunus, Rahim has informed that his wife is still recovering after the birth of the child and he needs to be with his family.
"Mushfiqur has informed us that his wife is still recovering, and he needs to be by her side and with their children at this time. We fully understand his situation and have decided to permit him to skip the game."
Rahim was not at his best in Asia Cup 2023 and had one notable performance when he hit a fifty in a losing cause against Pakistan. However, Bangladesh's batting as a whole has been disappointing in the Asia Cup and it has been a primary reason for Bangladesh's ouster in this Asia Cup.
Rahim's absence means an opportunity for some young player to show his value, most probably Afif Hossain and it would be an interesting game between a high-flying Indian team and a Bangladesh team playing for its pride.
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