Dhaka: With injuries plaguing the Bangladesh team ahead of Asian Cup, the management has decided to batsman Mominul Haque to their squad as back up.

“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,” AFP quoted Habibul Bashar, former batsman-turned-selector, as saying.

Opener Tamim Iqbal has a finger injury. Left-hander Nazmul Hossain hurt his left thumb during a training session recently. "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 along with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in Asia Cup. The tournament will start on September 15 in the United Arab Emirates.

Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes dismissed Shakib Al Hasan's fitness worries. Although Shakib had mentioned in an interview with Daily Star that he is only 20-30 percent fit. Rhodes believes that he is a lot fitter.

Shakib was key in Bangladesh's 2-1 series win against West Indies in July.
      
Mominul was brought back to the squad after his brilliant performance with Bangladesh A's tour of Ireland, scoring 182 of 132 balls in one inning.