ASIA CUP, 2018

Bangladesh send out SOS to openers Sarkar and Kayes

by Atif Azam • Last updated on

Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes last played an ODI for Bangladesh on October 22, 2017 © Getty

Bangladesh have sought the services of southpaw batsmen, Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes, to join the squad for the remainder of the Asia Cup.

Chief selector Minhajul Abedin confirmed to Cricbuzz in relation to the latest development. "Yes we have called both of them (Imrul and Soumya) to join us."

Both of them have been asked to return to Dhaka and board a flight to UAE tomorrow. The duo was participating in a four-day game in Khulna played between Bangladesh Red and Bangladesh Green.

It is understood that the unfortunate injury to Tamim Iqbal exacerbated by Liton Kumar Das and Nazmul Hossain struggling to provide good starts in the ongoing tournament forced the selectors to pick the seasoned campaigners.

Both Liton and Nazmul haven't yet gone past the double-digit mark in the Asia Cup, and Bangladesh succumbed to a heavy defeat against Afghanistan in their last league game ahead of the Super Four.

Incidentally, both Sarkar and Kayes last played an ODI for Bangladesh on October 22, 2017 at East London. Sarkar though has been a part of the T20I team.

"It is an opportunity for me and I am looking forward to seize it if there is any scope for me to play," Sarkar said.

Bangladesh would be hoping for a change in their fortunes, especially in in relation to their batting unit, which has unperformed in the tournament. They face Afghanistan on Sunday (September 23) in their next Super Four fixture.

© Cricbuzz

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