DHAKA: Bangladesh all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin has been ruled out of the series due to a persistent back injury, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Thursday.

Saifuddin has a long history of back injury which forced him to miss several big matches, including Bangladesh’s crucial World Cup match against Australia at Tent Bridge during the recent World Cup.

He also missed the following three-match one-day international series in Sri Lanka before returning for a tri-series T20 tournament against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in September.

Multiple scans have suggested his recovery would take more time, the BCB said.

“Due to a reoccurring back injury Saifuddin will be rested from the India tour this year giving him an opportunity to consolidate his recovery over a longer period of time,” national team physiotherapist Julian Calefato said in statement.

Selector Habibul Bashar said there was no decision on a replacement for the all-rounder.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2019