Bangladesh batter Soumya Sarkar is likely to miss the start of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which is scheduled to start from October 02 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE. The star batter will miss the series opener due to visa complications.
Soumya made his comeback in T20Is after regular skipper Litton Das was ruled out of the T20I series due to a side muscle strain that he sustained before the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash in Dubai.
Soumya, who got a call-up after strong performances in the NCL T20, scoring 63 and 45 in his first two matches, was seen practising at Sylhet on Tuesday (September 30).
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"Till now he did not get the visa (for UAE), and we are waiting for it but if we can get it(visa) tomorrow, he will fly as soon as possible," a BCB official confirmed to Cricbuzz.
Cricbuzz further stated that his visa may take up to three days, and if that is the case, then he is unlikely to be available for the T20I series opener. The three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh will take place on October 2, 3, and 5, after that, both teams will also play three ODIs.
Earlier, Bangladesh appointed Jaker Ali Anik as captain for the Afghanistan series. Jaker had initially stepped in for Litton during Bangladesh's final two matches of the Asia Cup Super Four after Litton sustained a rib injury in a training session just before the match against India in Dubai.
Bangladesh's T20I squad for Afghanistan series:
Jaker Ali Anik (C), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Md Shaif Uddin, Soumya Sarkar
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan T20I schedule
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 1st T20I: Oct 02, Thursday, Sharjah
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I: Oct 03, Friday, Sharjah
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 3rd T20I: Oct 05, Sunday, Sharjah