Tigers to play former champions Pakistan in a hope to reach the final berth in the five-nation Asia Cup Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.

The match will kick-off at 7:30 pm (Bangladesh Standard Time).

It will be the 9th meeting between two teams in T20 cricket. Pakistan is in upper hand beating Bangladesh by seven occasions against one defeat in previous eight encounters.

The Tigers, now in the 2nd position in the ongoing five-team Asia Cup securing four points from three matches after beating holders Sri Lanka by 23 runs, UAE by 51 runs after conceding 45-run defeat to India, who dominated the meet collecting full four points from straight two matches.

Bangladesh is likely to make two chances in their previous line-up recruiting dashing opener Tamim Iqbal in place of injury-grabbed bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman while all-rounder Nasir Hossain is likely to replace opening batsman Mohammad Mithun, who scored one run against India, made duck against Sri Lanka and 46 runs against UAE.

Addressing the pressmen before the practice session at Indoor in Mirpur on Tuesday, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said, “Absence of Mustafiz is a heavy loss for Bangladesh, but the inclusion of experienced Tamim will certainly increase our batting strength, Tamim is the best batsman in all format of cricket”

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out of the remaining Asia Cup T20 matches with a side strain. Tamim Iqbal, who was on paternity leave from February 20, returned home from Thailand on Monday and joined the team practice session in Mirpur on the same day.

The 26-year-old hard-hitting batsman from Chittagong Tamim became father on Sunday as his wife Ayesha Siddiqua gave birth to a baby boy at a Bangkok hospital in Thailand.

Off Cutter Mustafizur picked up the injury during Bangladesh's 23-run win over Sri Lanka on Sunday and will remain sidelined for the rest of the tournament.

Bangladesh team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan, said that the injury was a "Grade 1 strain", and did not specify when Mustafizur was likely to return.

“Mustafiz complained of discomfort after Sunday's match against Sri Lanka," Bayjedul said. "An MRI scan was done today and the report from the radiologist confirmed a Grade 1 side strain on the right. He is under conservative treatment and rest for next 48 hours. Following that the rehab will begin. We are expecting that he will make a quick recovery and resume bowling soon."

Mustafizur had previously suffered a shoulder injury during the Zimbabwe series last month, which subsequently ruled him out of the Pakistan Super League.

UNB/RI