Rubel fails to make World Twenty20

Fast bowler Rubel Hossain has been left out of Bangladesh's 30-member preliminary squad for the World Twenty20 to be held in Sri Lanka from September. The squad includes all the current national-team players who toured Zimbabwe or Europe this summer, as well as seven discarded internationals and six uncapped players in Mominul Haque, Sabbir Rahman, Sohag Gazi, Kazi Kamrul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain and Alauddin Babu.

Rubel had injured his shoulder while playing in the Bangladesh Premier League in February and hasn't played top-flight cricket since. He underwent surgery in South Africa for the problem, and had hoped to be fit in time for the World Twenty20.

For the final squad, it is likely that the selectors will stick to experienced Twenty20 batsmen, especially since Anamul Haque - who will lead Bangladesh Under-19s in Australia in August - wasn't at his best in Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh will take on New Zealand on September 21 in their first World Twenty20 match, before playing against Pakistan on September 25. Both matches will be held at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.