<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud, who showed an impressive performance in the Zimbabwe series, is unlikely to play the Asia Cup after sustaining an ankle injury during the Tigers training session at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>"We've received the X-ray report which came well. The swelling of ankle did not subside. He will rest for two days," the BCB chief physician Dr. Debashis Chowdhury said.</div><div><br></div><div>"If the swelling does not go down after two days we will do an MRI and only then can I be sure whether he will play in the Asia Cup or not.</div><div><br></div><div>But it is learnt it takes two to three weeks to recover from this type of injury. As such, it is highly unlikely that he will be available in the Asia Cup.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan made a comeback with the Zimbabwe series after being injured for a long time. He performed well there and made the cut in the Asia Cup.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>"Hasan got an injury. It is very unfortunate. Whenever the boy gets into a good zone, he gets hurt. It's sad," Team director Khaled Mahmud Sujon said.</div><div><br></div><div>"Hope he comes back soon. But I don't want to comment as there is no official decision yet on whether he will be available in the Asia Cup. But it seems that he might miss the first leg of the Asia Cup."</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding whether someone will be included as a replacement, Mahmud said, "We have not yet thought about who will be his replacement. Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow we have practice match. We will see what happens there. Then we will decide."</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Asia Cup will start on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In the first phase, Bangladesh's opponents in 'B' group are Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. If they can overcome the hurdles of the group stage, they will get a ticket to the Super Four.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasan shined in both format of the white ball during Bangladesh's last tour of Zimbabwe. He played two T20Is and ODIs and took three wickets each. However, the visiting Tigers lost both the series 2-1.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh's first match in the Asia Cup against Afghanistan will be held on August 30. Before that, they will catch the UAE flight on August 23. In all, they will have a week to prepare and cope with the conditions. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>