DHAKA: The news of Shakib Al Hasan's ban from cricket before the series against India is unbelievable for the Bangladesh team. As Shakib the one with whom the original plan is arranged, it will be a big challenge for the formation of team axing him.

Bangladesh cricket team left Dhaka for India on Wednesday (Oct 30), accompanied by an invisible pressure. Before leaving, Mushfiqur Rahim, one of the experienced cricketers of the team, spoke to reporters at the airport.

“Our main goal is to play a good game against India”, Mushfiq said, adding “You can't guarantee anything in playing cricket. But positive results will actually bring Bangladesh cricket back to a better position. We will play with such a team at their home ground so it is obviously a challenge. So we want all of you to pray that we can play well, and also pray for Shakib so he can come back stronger.

Citing that he will greatly miss Shakib's absence, Mushfiq said his replacement is not yet in the Bangladesh squad. Shakib is the number one all-rounder in the world, playing without him is definitely a big challenge for us. 

“Shakib's replacement is not yet in our squad. I will miss him a lot because Shakib is our number one player,” he also said.

Bangladesh are set to play a three-match T20I series in India, starting from November 3 before they play a two-match Test series with the first Test slated to begin from November 14.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday (Oct 29) announced the T20 and test squads for India tour.

T20I squad: Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim, Mahmudullah (c), Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Animul Islam, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaiful Islam, Abu Haider Rony, Mohammad Mithun, Taijul Islam.

Test squad: Shadman Islam, Imrul Kayes, Saif Hasan, Mominul Haque (c), Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mossadek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraj, Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Al Amin Hossain, Ebadot Hossain.

BDST: 1757 HRS, OCT 30, 2019
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