Mashrafe available for West Indies ODIs

Mashrafe-1531315665153.jpg

Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza Dhaka Tribune/Md Manik

Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza has put aside speculation over his availability for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The veteran right-arm pacer confirmed his availability to the BCB and will board a flight to the Caribbean Monday night.

Mashrafe last week had informed his decision to be beside his ill wife and that he is unlikely to be available for the series, starting Sunday. Later, chief of the national selection panel Minhajul Abedin informed Dhaka Tribune that the board will wait till Friday to hear from the Tigers skipper before naming a replacement.

Mashrafe’s wife was infected with a rare blood disease and had fallen severely ill before being admitted to the hospital. Following sufficient recovery in the past few days, Mashrafe changed his mind and informed the board that he is ready to travel to the West Indies for the ODI series.

The Tigers suffered a 2-0 sweep in the two-Test series against the Windies.

The first and second ODI will be held in Guyana on July 22 and 26 respectively. The third and final ODI will be played in Saint Kitts and Nevis on July 28.

Following the ODI series, the Tigers will play the first of the three T20Is in Saint Kitts and Nevis on August 1 before traveling to the USA for the remainder of the T20I series, to be played in Florida on August 5 and 6 respectively.

Source: Dhaka Tribune.