Mustafizur unlikely for Windies tour in Dec

Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman is unlikely to feature in the upcoming white-ball series against West Indies as he applied to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for leave in December to be with his wife, who is expecting a child, reports Cricbuzz.

A board official confirmed the development to Cricbuzz while adding that they will make a final call on it after talking with him following his arrival from UAE after the ongoing three-match ODI series.

"It's true that he (Mustafizur) asked for leave (during the white-ball series against West Indies) but we are yet to take a decision as there is still time in our hand. Let him come and we can talk over the matter and see whether he can be available for one format (ODIs, T20Is) or not," said the official.

"At the same time we have to consider this is a family issue and it is top priority for everyone," he added.

Mustafizur is expected to return to Dhaka on November 13 after the ODI series against Afghanistan, scheduled to end with the series-concluding game on November 11 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Mustafizur has been away from Test cricket and only plays ODI and T20Is.

Most of the Bangladesh Test squad members will depart for the West Indies tour from Dubai while others like Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam will travel to Dubai soon to join the squad. The first Test of the West Indies tour will start on November 22 with the second Test from November 30.

The ODI series will begin on December 08, followed by the T20I series starting on December 16.