Bangladesh have included uncapped batter Jaker Ali in place of fast bowler Shoriful Islam for the upcoming tour of India.

The 23-year-old pacer had suffered a groin injury during the first Test against Pakistan and wasn’t available for the second match.

Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed make up Bangladesh’s pace attack in Shoriful’s absence.

The Bangladesh think-tank is optimistic of Shoriful’s availability for the T20I leg of the India tour.

“Shoriful can’t be considered fully fit at the moment. He was unfit during the second Test in Pakistan, which is why he wasn’t part of the selection process.

“He missed the second Test against Pakistan due to his injury. The physios and trainers are looking after him. He remains within the system. He is an important member
of our white-ball team. We have a T20 series coming up against India,” said national selector Hannan Sarkar in Dhaka on Thursday.

The squad, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, will reach Chennai on Sunday.

“I wouldn’t call Shoriful 100 per cent fit for Tests because a Test match may require him to bowl 15-20 overs.

“Given that he’s not fully fit yet, we’re not willing to take any risks. We have other fully fit players in the Test squad who can compete. Therefore, we chose not to take a risk with Shoriful, but hopefully, he will recover in time and return to the T20 squad.”

Instead of adding another fast bowler as replacement, the selectors have opted
to blood in wicket-keeper batter Ali.