Injured Saifuddin named for Hong Kong Sixes

All-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin was named in the seven-member squad for the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes 2025, set to take place on November 7-9, by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday, even though he is currently out injured.

Although not part of the T20 squad against the West Indies, Saifuddin had travelled to Chattogram with the team. Two days before the first T20I, the 28-year-old twisted his ankle during practice, returned home afterwards and then contracted fever.

Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu said that Saifuddin would begin his rehabilitation in Dhaka from today. But BCB's chief physician Debashis Chowdhury told The Daily Star that the all-rounder informed him he planned to travel to the capital on Saturday.

"I haven't seen his current condition after he twisted his ankle. He sent me a picture of his ankle, but since he also has fever, I can only assess his situation properly after meeting him on Saturday," Debashis said.

Selector Hasibul Hossain Shanto added that if Saifuddin fails to recover in time, one of the two standbys -- Sabbir Rahman or Habibul Rahman Sohan -- will replace him.

The Bangladesh team, who reached the semifinal in last year's edition, is scheduled to depart for Hong Kong on November 5. Bangladesh squad: Akbar Ali (c), Jishan Alam, Abu Hider Rony, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Rakibul Hasan, Tofayel Ahmed Rayhan