Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, and Tamim Iqbal, the opening batsman, are both expected to be fit for the first Test against England at Lord's tomorrow.
Al Hasan has been unable to play since Bangladesh's opening tour match against Surrey because of chicken pox, while Iqbal is still struggling with a wrist injury which will require surgery after this series.
Iqbal will have one last check before his participation is confirmed, but it seems he is prepared to play through the pain for a maiden appearance in a Lord's Test.
"It's getting better," he said. "I went to a specialist yesterday, and he said, 'you've got two choices.
"Either you play with taping and hope there won't be any harm, or you can have a surgery that will take three months.'
"We have a very busy schedule, so the team management told me to decide. I am seeing another doctor, and if it won't do any harm then I'll definitely play.
"I'm very excited to play at Lord's in a Test match. It will be a dream come true. If everything goes all right, and the doctor gives me the green signal, then I'll play the first match - and if anything goes bad I'll go for surgery."
Iqbal, 21, is one of a majority in the touring squad who have never played in a Lord's Test - and he is not about to let the occasion pass him by.
"I've pushed five per cent more than maybe I would have done on other grounds," he admitted. "I'm really excited and I really want to play. I don't know when I'll get another chance. Test cricket is the most important. I don't want to take any chances - but I'm batting OK in the nets, and the pain is day by day getting better. So it's all about what the doctor says."
Al Hasan is over his illness - having had to be kept in isolation from the rest of the squad.
"I think he's fully recovered now; he's running around, batting and bowling - and he'll be there in the first Test to captain our side," Iqbal confirmed.
* PA
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
UAE's final round of matches
- Sep 1, 2016 Beat Japan 2-1 (away)
- Sep 6, 2016 Lost to Australia 1-0 (home)
- Oct 6, 2016 Beat Thailand 3-1 (home)
- Oct 11, 2016 Lost to Saudi Arabia 3-0 (away)
- Nov 15, 2016 Beat Iraq 2-0 (home)
- Mar 23, 2017 Lost to Japan 2-0 (home)
- Mar 28, 2017 Lost to Australia 2-0 (away)
- June 13, 2017 Drew 1-1 with Thailand (away)
- Aug 29, 2017 v Saudi Arabia (home)
- Sep 5, 2017 v Iraq (away)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
