BANGLADESH RECALL MOMINUL FOR ASIA CUP

DHAKA: Bangladesh have added batsman Mominul Haque to their squad for the Asia Cup as backup to several players carrying injuries, selectors said on Friday. “He is a top-order batsman, who can play as an opener or in (the) one-down position. So we thought his inclusion might be useful in the tournament,” said Habibul Bashar. Opener Tamim Iqbal has an issue with his finger while uncapped left-hander Nazmul Hossain hurt his left thumb during a recent training session. “We are hopeful they will both play. But we thought Mominul might play just in case they feel any problem,” Bashar added. Bangladesh are in Pool B alongside Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in the six-nation Asia Cup, which will run from September 15-28 in the UAE. Bangladesh also have fitness concerns regarding all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was keen to skip the Asia Cup to have a surgery on a finger.

Injury halts Ponting’s coaching plans

MUMBAI: Ricky Ponting’s coaching plans with the Australian team have come to an abrupt halt after he suffered an Achilles injury while shooting a TV commercial. The former Australian captain underwent a surgery last week and has been advised three to six months of rest. Ponting will miss the T20 leg of Australia’s UAE tour in October, where they will play three games against Pakistan. He is considered to be a close associate of Justin Langer, who is desperate to resurrect the Australian cricket setup from the ball-tampering controversy that saw Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft getting banned for a lengthy duration.