Mortaza Facing Lengthy Spell On The Sidelines

Mortaza Facing Lengthy Spell On The Sidelines

Mashrafe Mortaza is facing a long time out of the game.

©Action Images / Carl Recine Livepic

Bangladesh fast bowler and captain Mashrafe Mortaza could be out for up to a year as he undergoes surgery in Australia on his knee injury.

Local media have reported that Mortaza, who injured the knee during Bangladesh's tour of the West Indies, will leave for Melbourne tomorrow (6th August) to consult orthapaedic surgeon David Young.

He injured the knee while bowling during Bangladesh's opening Test match in Saint Vincent and did not start another match on the tour, which his side completed with a 2-0 Test series win and a 3-0 One-Day International series return.

Mortaza, 25, would miss tours to Zimbabwe, New Zealand, England as well as a home series with India and the Asia Cup if he is indeed ruled out for a 12-month period.

Shakib Al Hasan, who deputised for him in the Caribbean, is expected to continue as stand-in skipper when the side takes on Zimbabwe for five One-Day Internationals beginning on 9th August in Bulawayo.

Get the latest from Cricket World® with Facebook, twitter and YouTube and keep up with the action with the latest cricket TV highlights and interviews.