Miraz's fitness adds to Bangladesh's selection concerns

Bangladesh face another selection question ahead of their next match in the UAE ODI tri-series, with experienced all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz having missed the opening game against Zimbabwe because of fever.
National team physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan said Miraz had been suffering from fever for three days and was unavailable for the match in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Miraz's situation is important because he offers Bangladesh an experienced option with both bat and ball. His off-spin can help control the middle overs, while his batting gives the team additional depth when the top order struggles.

Bangladesh's 99-run defeat to Zimbabwe exposed problems in both departments. After Taskin Ahmed took three early wickets to reduce Zimbabwe to 24 for three, Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor combined for a 150-run partnership to help the visitors reach 271 for eight.

Bangladesh then collapsed to 172 in 33.4 overs. Tanzid Hasan's 46 provided an early contribution, but the middle order failed to build the partnerships needed to sustain the chase.

Miraz's availability for the next match could therefore influence the team's balance, particularly as Bangladesh prepare to face Afghanistan on October 21. The management will have to assess his recovery before deciding whether he can return to the playing XI.

However, no confirmed update on his availability for the Afghanistan match was included in the initial injury reports. His absence from the opener should not automatically be taken to mean that he will miss the rest of the tournament.