Bangladesh Player Hands Massive Blow To Sri Lankan Cricket With Last Minute Ditch

Sri Lankan Cricket, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman (Source: AFP)In a major development, Bangladesh have made a major change to their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was ruled out with an injury.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that Taskin Ahmed will replace the experienced left-arm pacer for the remainder of the tour. The decision also changed Taskin Ahmed’s availability for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, for which he was originally expected to be available from the start of the tournament.Earlier, the BCB had granted Taskin Ahmed and Litton Das No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to skip the Zimbabwe T20I series and join their respective LPL franchises from the start. Mustafizur Rahman Ruled Out From ZIM vs BAN T20I Series After Hamstring InjuryMustafizur Rahman suffered a right hamstring injury during the opening ODI against Zimbabwe. Later on, medical scans confirmed that Mustafizur had sustained a Grade 1 tear in his right hamstring along with minor meniscal degeneration in his right knee.As a result, the experienced pacer has been ruled out of the remainder of Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe.Mustafizur had already missed the second ODI, where Shoriful Islam replaced him in the playing XI. For the third and final ODI, Bangladesh also brought in all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin as his replacement in the squad.Who Will Replace Mustafizur Rahman For ZIM vs BAN T20I Series?After Mustafizur's injury, the BCB recalled Taskin Ahmed for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will shift their focus to the T20Is, which will be played in Bulawayo on July 15, 17, and 19.Initially, Taskin Ahmed had been given permission to miss the T20Is after receiving an NOC to play the entire Lanka Premier League. However, Bangladesh's selectors decided that national duty had to take priority following the injury setback."We allowed them to skip the Zimbabwe T20Is as Taskin and Litton were given NOC to play in the LPL from the start but as Mustafizur is out due to injury we have included Taskin in the T20Is. He will join the LPL after completing the T20Is against Zimbabwe," BCB chief selector Habibul Bashar told Cricbuzz on Friday.Meanwhile, Litton Das has also been granted an NOC to participate in the LPL. However, the experienced batter is currently recovering from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe. His participation in the tournament will depend on his fitness.Will Taskin Ahmed Miss The Lanka Premier League 2026?Yes, Taskin Ahmed will miss the opening phase of the Lanka Premier League 2026 because of his national commitments.The Bangladesh fast bowler was signed by Jaffna Kings in the overseas star category and was originally expected to be available from the start of the tournament. However, after being recalled for Bangladesh’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, his arrival will be delayed.The LPL 2026 is scheduled to begin on July 17 and continue until August 8, while Bangladesh’s T20I series against Zimbabwe runs from July 15 to July 19. As a result, Taskin will complete his national duties first before travelling to Sri Lanka to join Jaffna Kings.Also Read: No Tilak Varma? India's Predicted Playing XI For 5th T20I Vs England 2026