Afif sidelined ‘not because of his face but performance’

After having featured for a record 61 matches on the trot for Bangladesh, Afif Hossain eventually lost his place from the side following a run of subpar performances and the southpaw was consequently sidelined in both ODI and T20I series against Ireland at home. 

According to Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, the out-of-favour all-rounder will now have to prove his worth to make a comeback in the side. 

"Obviously, it [reason to drop Afif] is not because of his face but, of course, performance," Hathurusingha told the media ahead of the first T20I against Ireland on Sunday.

"Anyone who gets dropped is because of the performance, but at times we drop some players for tactical reasons if we want to do anything different or want to have a look at the player," he added.

Afif made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka back in 2018 where he was unable to register a run to his name. And following a long gap, the youngster played his second T20I against Zimbabwe in 2019 and quick-fired 52 off just 26 deliveries.

Since then, he played 61 matches on the trot for the Tigers up until the third T20I against England. The 23-year-old struck three fifties to score 1020 runs in 62 T20Is, with a strike-rate of 120.28 and an average of 21.25.  

Hathurusingha informed he had spoken to Afif personally and told the youngster that he will have to perform according to team's demand.  

"He [Afif] is out of the team now and he will have to do what he requires at the moment: which is to score runs. 

"I have spoken with him regarding some of the areas of improvements and if he is able to do so and if there is a vacant place in the team, he will get the opportunity like others," Hathurusingha said.