COLOMBO, Sept 10: Bangladesh have a fast-bowling injury crisis as they prepare for a tough two-Test series against Sri Lanka starting on Monday. The tourists have lost key strike bowler Mashrafe Mortaza with a back injury and fellow pace bowler Tapash Baisya with a recurrence of an old ankle injury.

Mortaza, who has taken 48 wickets in 18 Tests, has been sent home after a bone scan revealed the early signs of a stress fracture in his lower back, an injury that will take up to 12 weeks to heal.

Bangladesh will also be without fast bowler Tapash Baisya who bowled just 11 overs during the practice game because of the recurrence of an old ankle injury and will also return home.

Talha Jubair, who has taken 14 wickets in seven Tests, has been called-up as a replacement from Mortaza but no replacement has so far been named for Baisya.

“The loss of Mashrafe is a big blow as he has performed against all opposition around the world and both bowlers will be missed,” coach Dav Whatmore said on Saturday.

“We will now have a very inexperienced pace attack but that will give one of the youngsters a chance to shine,” he added.

Left-armer Syed Rasel is set to make his debut and 19-year-old Shahadat Hossain, who played one Test against England earlier this year, is expected to share the new ball with him.

Test minnows Bangladesh were whitewashed 3-0 in the one-day series that preceded the Tests and then struggled during a three-day practice game against a Sri Lanka Development XI before salvaging a draw after a gutsy second innings effort.—Reuters