Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud ruled out of New Zealand T20Is

Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud will not be available in the three-match T20I series in New Zealand, starting on March 28, as he has failed to regain his fitness. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have confirmed that Mahumd has departed for Dhaka with ODI captain Tamim Iqbal.

"The 21-year old has not trained or played due to a stiff back following the first ODI in Dunedin. Mahmud left for Dhaka today along with ODI Captain Tamim Iqbal. He will continue his recovery under the supervision of the BCB medical team,” BCB said in a statement on Saturday.

Meanwhile, middle-order batsman Mosaddek Hossain has been added to the squad



after he was able to recover from his knee injury.

Bangladesh recently were at the receiving end of a clean sweep with New Zealand registering a 3-0 win in the three-match ODI series. Bangladesh’s ODI captain Tamim Iqbal had already informed the board about his unavailability due to personal reasons.

"I have communicated it to the team management and the head coach and I wish the best for the team," Tamim had said ahead of the ODI series.

The first T20I will be played on Sunday at the Seddon Park in Hamilton with Mahmudullah’s side locking horns with the hosts, to be led by Tim Southee in absence of Kane Williamson.