Bangladesh get Shakib boost ahead of knockout clash

Bangladesh's chances of making it to the final of the Nidahas Trophy Twenty20 International tri-series received a significant boost with news that Shakib Al Hasan, their star all-rounder, will join the squad in time for the game against Sri Lanka, to be played on Friday.

Shakib, the Test and T20I captain for Bangladesh, had originally been named in the squad but was later ruled out after failing to recover from the finger injury he sustained during the triangular one-day international series at home against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in January.

On Thursday 15 March, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed that Shakib will travel to Colombo later in the day “after recovering from an injury to his left little finger”.

Bangladesh lost their opening game of the Nidahas Trophy to India but bounced back in the next match against Sri Lanka, chasing down the hosts’ 214/6 courtesy Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 35-ball 72, but have since gone down to India again. With Sri Lanka also winning one and losing two, the game between the two sides on Friday has become a knockout of sorts.

Shakib's inclusion will bolster the bowling attack in particular, which has looked a bit out of sorts.

The final of the tournament will be played on Sunday.