Bangladesh- New Zealand Series
Naim likely to debut at Christchurch Test
|| CF DESK ||
Mahmudul Hasan Joy suffered a finger injury while practicing fielding before the start of the fourth day at Mount Manganui. As a result, playing in the Christchurch Test match is in doubt.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selector Habibul Bashar said Mohammad Naim Sheikh is going to make his debut in Christchurch instead of first Test’s half-centurion Joy.
The BCB has no plans to send alternate openers to New Zealand at the moment on various issues including quarantine. Meanwhile, Naim is the third opener in the Tigers' squad. Naim could be seen with Shadman Islam in the second Test on January 9th.
“Naim sheikh is the third opener. I have not received the full report yet of Joy. It is unknown at this time that he could or could not play in the second Test, there is not much time available. In New Zealand, we know that there is no benefit in sending a replacement, quarantine period, all together ... Naim Sheikh has gone with the team as the third opener, he will play most likely if joy doesn't,” said Bashar.
Joy played a patient innings of 78 runs off 228 balls in the first innings. Bangladesh scored 458 runs with the help of his extraordinary innings.
Bangladesh got a lead of 130 runs. At the end of the fourth day, the Kiwis lost 5 wickets and collected 146 runs, with five wickets in hand, the hosts have a lead of only 17 runs.