Tamim Iqbal doubtful for triangular series

Tamim Iqbal, the Bangladesh opener, is in doubt for the triangular series against India and Sri Lanka in January after he ignored medical advice and continued to play with a fractured hand, the BCB has said.

Tamim, who has scored 1864 runs in 66 ODIs at 28.24, had injured his left hand while batting against Zimbabwe in an ODI in Chittagong on November 5. Initial scans did not reveal a fracture, but the failure to recover prompted a re-examination on November 21, and a hairline fracture was brought to notice. He was advised against any batting during practice or matches until December 7.

"Despite these clear verbal and written instructions, for unclear reasons Tamim had tried batting on a number of occasions, both before and after he was diagnosed with a fracture," the BCB said in a statement. "After every time (he batted]), he complained of increased pain, swelling, and an inability to adequately grip the bat, let alone bat with comfort or competence.

"This ongoing aggravation and re-injury will delay Tamim's recovery, and could give him long term issues with the wrist. As such, there is now some doubt as to his ability to return to fitness by the next international duties in early January."

The triangular series gets underway on January 4 in Mirpur, and will be followed by Bangladesh taking on India in a two-Test series.