BCB eager to get Shakib early

Shakib Al Hasan flew to Thailand on Monday night to seek advice from orthopaedic experts on the injury to his left little finger.

As the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is eager for the ace all-rounder to participate from the start of the Nidahas Trophy on March 6 in Sri Lanka, Shakib was sent for further inspection ahead of the tournament where Bangladesh will face India in their opening fixture on March 8.

"Shakib left for Thailand yesterday [Monday] night to seek a different opinion. He has appointments with two orthopaedic experts in Thailand today. He will return after that and we hope that he will leave with the squad for Sri Lanka," BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury informed yesterday.

With only eight days remaining before Bangladesh's first match of the competition, it is still uncertain whether Shakib can feature for the Tigers right from the start. The national team will begin a training camp for the Nidahas Trophy on March 2, with Shakib expected to return to the country by then, and will depart for Sri Lanka with the squad on March 4.

Shakib sustained the injury during the Tigers' loss to Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series final at home last month. He then missed the Test and T20I series against Sri Lanka, both of which Bangladesh went on to lose.