Bangladesh batsman Liton Das has been included in the squad as backup for Mushfiqur Rahim for the second Test against West Indies which is to be played tomorrow, skipper Shakib Al Hasan informed today.
“Liton has been kept [in the squad] as a backup just in case [Mushy’s] pain increases or there is any swelling or that kind of problem. We wanted to make sure that we have a backup plan,” he said.
Mushfiqur injured his right-hand thumb while batting at the nets yesterday. While he did not suffer any fractures, there was definite pain and he did not bat yesterday any further following the injury. Shakib reiterated that Mushfiqur is in all likelihood going to take the field tomorrow but in case the injury does not allow him to stand behind the stumps, Liton will take on the wicket-keeping duties.
“From what I know, Mushfiq bhai will play and also be doing both [batting and wicket-keeping],” Shakib said.
In case Liton, flown in from Bogura where he was playing for Central Zone, plays tomorrow, he will play as an wicket-keeper but not as an opener, the captain suggested.
“It is unlikely that Mushfiq bhai won’t be able to keep but in case that happened Liton will be wicket-keeping. But opening the batting while he is also wicket-keeping is going to prove difficult,” Shakib informed on Liton’s chances of also opening the batting if the right-hander takes wicket-keeping duties.
Mushfiqur batted for more than an hour at the nets today and reportedly did not face any issues with his injured thumb, which is a good omen for the Tigers.
