Blow to India! Shami ruled out of Asia Cup, doubtful for World T20

Mohammed Shami was on Friday ruled out of India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, raising doubts over his participation in the ICC World Twenty20 that follows the continental tournament.

Also read: All you need to know about the history of Asia Cup

Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been named as replacement for Shami by the selection committee.

Also read: Why BCCI is opposing Lodha committee recommendations

After a long injury layoff, post last year's World Cup, Shami was recalled to the national squad for the tour Down Under, only to be ruled out again by a hamstring injury.

"The BCCI medical team confirms that Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of Asia Cup, 2016. The decision has been taken to give him more time to recover from the Grade II injury to his left hamstring," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said in a statement.

Shami had not proved his fitness at the time of the announcement of the squad, on February 5, for the two tournaments.

However, senior selection committee chairman Sandeep Patil had claimed at a press conference during the announcement of the team that "Shami had started bowling" and expressed his confidence that the bowler will be fit in time for the big event.

-PTI