Bashar on the mend after injury

Bangladesh's captain, Habibul Bashar, expects to be fit again in a month's time, and hopes to be ready to face New Zealand in October for two Tests and three one-day internationals.

Bashar, Bangladesh's leading batsman, was ruled out of this month's Champions Trophy after undergoing surgery on his broken right thumb. He was replaced as captain by Rajin Saleh, while Faisal Hossain stepped up to fill the vacancy in the squad.

Bangladesh, who have been warming up for the tournament against Ireland and Scotland, face South Africa and West Indies in the group stages of the Champions Trophy. Although their prospects of victory are slim, the trip is a useful reconnaissance mission ahead of next year's Test tour to England, when they will play at Lord's for the first time in their history.