Bangladesh speedster Taskin Ahmed is working on his recovery from a shoulder injury. The pacer said he is upbeat about making a comeback in the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) but expressed regret over missing the IPL chance. The pacer was included in the IPL draft — the cash-rich T20 event in India. However, at the last moment, his name was withdrawn by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), marking the thrid time he missed an IPL opportunity. It's all about David Warner in his final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Pakistan  “As a cricketer, I always want to play in franchise leagues,” Taskin said. “With this, I missed the IPL chance three times.” Taskin also missed the opportunity to play in the recently-concluded New Zealand series due to the shoulder injury.  “I would have enjoyed it if I was on this tour. It's always great to bowl in New Zealand,” he said. “I would have witnessed Bangladesh's success if I were there. Bangladesh played really well. It's our team, and the pride is always ours.” Bangladesh U-19 aim high in ICC World Cup 2024 Bangladesh's pace-bowling unit performed well in New Zealand, making the most of the conditions. During the tour, Bangladesh won an ODI and a T20I, marking the first instances of Bangladesh winning white-ball international matches against New Zealand on Kiwi soil. The right-arm pacer mentioned that he has started to bowl with full strength and is expected to make a return with BPL. Bangladesh National Cricket Team’s Future Tour Program by ICC in 2024  “I’m feeling much better now and have started bowling,” he said. “We still have two weeks to go before BPL, so I believe I can make a comeback fully fit.”

Pakistan's first-Test star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has a bruised knee and will not play in the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka starting Sunday. The 22-year-old Afridi was the pick of the seamers from either side in the first Test, finishing with four wickets in the first innings that Pakistan won by four wickets in Galle.  Pakistan team officials confirmed Friday that he would not play in the second Test. Afridi finished on 99 Test wickets at the end of Sri Lanka's first innings and hopes of him completing the milestone of 100 wickets in the second Test ended with the injury. Read: Pakistan lose openers after Sri Lanka post 222 in 1st Test Afridi, fielding at mid-wicket, dived in an attempt to cut off a Dinesh Chandimal boundary on day three and was seen hobbling off the field. He was taken for scans and although there was no fracture, swelling and pain ruled him out. Pakistan has uncapped quick Harris Rauf or seam bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf as replacements. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka brought in uncapped off-spinner Lakshitha Manasinghe after Maheesh Theekshana was ruled out of the match. Theekshana sustained a cut on his right index finger during the first Test. The hosts also recalled Pathum Nissanka, who had tested positive for Covid-19 during the Australia series.