Shakib in doubt for Pakistan series

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh allrounder, is in doubt for the proposed home series against Pakistan after suffering a groin strain. The injury has already ruled him out of the remainder of the local Premier League season and the Bangladesh team physio Michael Henry has advised a month's rest.

"It's an old injury which keeps coming back to me," Shakib told the Daily Star. "For the time being I will have to rest for at least four weeks and then see how much it heals and whether I can start training again. I am out of the Premier League for now but I desperately want to play when Pakistan comes here later this month."

Shakib last played for his team Biman against Old DOHS on February 22 and the loss of their key allrounder will be a huge setback.

Pakistan were to tour Bangladesh between March 10 and 22 for five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals but the series was postponed due to security reasons. The Bangladesh Cricket Board is working with the PCB to work out a new schedule and officials are hopeful of starting the series by the end of the month.