Bangladesh call up Shamsur as cover for Tamim, Shakib

London:

Uncapped Shamsur Rahman has been called up to Bangladesh's touring party in England to provide cover for the injured Tamim Iqbal and sick captain Shakib Al Hasan.

Shamsur, a 21-year-old right-handed batsman, was expected to arrive in London Monday.

Tamim is struggling with a hand injury that has prevented him from playing in warm-up matches ahead of next week's first Test at Lord's while Shakib has contracted chickenpox.

Rafiqul Alam, the chairman of Bangladesh's selection committee, said Shamsur had been called up because of his ability to bat anywhere in the top five and on the strength of his recent form.

"He will also get ample opportunity to get acclimatised to the English conditions before the Test series starts."

The 21-year-old has shown good form for Bangladesh A at home against South Africa A, scoring 268 runs in two Tests. He was also named in Bangladesh's Twenty20 squad for the last year's World Twenty20 Cup in England.