Bangladesh omit Ashraful from NZ tour

DHAKA: Bangladesh have left out injured opener Tamim Iqbal and former captain Mohammad Ashraful for a one-day series against New Zealand in Dhaka next month.

Left-handed opener Shahriar Nafees was recalled after a gap of two years to replace the flamboyant Tamim in the five-match series starting at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on October 5.

“Tamim had a successful wrist surgery in Melbourne on Monday afternoon,” said the cricket board in a statement, adding he may be out of the game for six to eight weeks. Nafees, 24, last played a one-day international against India in June 2008, before joining the now defunct Indian Cricket League. Ashraful was dropped due to poor form in recent matches.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2010.