Bangladesh’s pace bowling contingent has been dealt a blow as Ebadot Hossain will be forced to sit out the upcoming World Cup due to a knee injury, according to a Bangladesh Cricket Board official. Cricbuzz initially reported Ebadot’s race against time to recover for the World Cup, but his chances were dashed as he now requires knee surgery.
Minhajul Abedin, BCB’s chief selector, confirmed the unfortunate news, expressing the team’s disappointment. He stated, “He (Ebadot) will not be available for us in the World Cup. It’s a big blow for us as he will require an operation for his knee. Following the operation, he will certainly need some time for rehabilitation, at least three to four months, so we cannot consider him for the World Cup.”
Ebadot sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a recent ODI series against Afghanistan. The 29-year-old fast bowler, who has participated in 12 ODIs since his debut last year, has been replaced by Tanzim Sakib for the upcoming Asia Cup.
The absence of Ebadot has triggered concerns about the balance of the bowling attack. His contributions during the middle overs were significant, allowing Taskin Ahmed to focus on new-ball spells. With Ebadot’s mid-over pace, Bangladesh will need to recalibrate their strategy, with Taskin, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam emerging as potential replacements.
Bangladesh’s head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and ODI captain Shakib al Hasan both expressed their disappointment over losing Ebadot, acknowledging his crucial role within the team. His absence not only alters the bowling dynamics but also underscores the challenge of seamlessly replacing a key player just ahead of a major tournament.