Bangladesh speedster Ebadot Hossain has been ruled out of the upcoming Asia cup after he failed to recover from a Knee-injury which he picked up in the ODI series against Afghanistan. The injury also has the potential of jeopardizing the Sylhet express’s World cup participation.

What Ebadot’s injury means for Bangladesh

Bangladesh were looking to go into the Asia Cup with their confidence high, and part of the reason for that was the form of their furious fast bowling five. Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam have all been flourishing lately.

Even among five bowlers in fine form, Ebadot distinguished himself with his pace, height and wicket taking ability in the middle overs. With Bangladesh not having a leg-spinner, they rely on Ebadot’s pace and hostility to get wickets in the middle overs.

Ebadot has been a key member of Bangladesh's pace bowling revolution, starting from his magical Mount Maunganui spell to his explosive ODI career so far. His record of 22 wickets in just 11 innings shows how vital he has been as a wicket-taker.

The former Air Force man will leave a big hole in this bowling line-up. Especially if he can’t make it to the World Cup, it will be a big blow to the Tigers' cause as the workload will for seamers.

Can Tanzim fill Ebadot’s shoes?

While many expected Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, the star of the latest BPL, to be called up as Ebadot’s replacement, the selectors have gone with the relatively raw talent of Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Sharing a name with one of the greatest of the game and his captain Shakib Al Hasan, Tanzim was a member of the World Cup winning U-19 team in 2019. However, it was his encouraging performances in the recently concluded emerging Asia Cup that helped him make the cut.

You voted this incredible diving catch by Bangladesh's Tanzim Hasan Sakib as the winner of the @Nissan Play of the Day from the #SAvBAN clash yesterday 👏 #U19CWC | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/AAenW4kZdQ
— ICC (@ICC) January 31, 2020

Unlike Ebadot who generates a lot of steep bounce due to his height, Sakib is an aggressive, quick and skiddy fast bowler with an at-your-face-attitude. He doesn’t hold back, the occasion or big names doesn’t deter him and he will have a go no matter who the batter is.

While not cut from the same cloth as the man he is replacing in terms of skill-set, he will also look to get wickets in the middle-overs, albeit with different weapons. Fans will undoubtedly miss Ebadot’s trademark salute, but they will be looking forward to Sakib doing the job.

Sakib is a handy batter down the order as well, something coach Hathurusinha is looking to add to the team. Hence this is an opportunity for the young man to play himself into World Cup contention, even if Ebadot becomes fit.

Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup

Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan, Tanzim Hasan.