Mortaza out of Asia Cup with injury

Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh pace spearhead Mashrafe bin Mortaza has been ruled out of the ongoing Asia Cup with a side strain, national team physiotherapist Vibhav Singh said on Friday.

Singh said Mortaza picked up the injury during Wednesday's game against India, but expected him to be fit for the upcoming World Twenty20.

Bangladesh was already without key players Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim is also carrying a shoulder injury from the India game.

Paceman Shafiul Islam replaced Mortaza to the squad.

The injury-prone Mortaza has had six knee operations, forcing him to forego test cricket and concentrate on limited-overs cricket.