Wicketkeeping duties taken away from Mushfiqur for Lanka Tests

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim will play the upcoming two Test series against Sri Lanka as a specialist batsman and has to give up his position as the designated wicketkeeper, informed manager Khaled Mahmud.

The development means Liton Das will be keeping gloves behind the wicket in the Test series against Sri Lanka beginning Tuesday.

It should be noted that Mushfiqur's wicket-keeping came under focus after he missed plenty of chances during the Afghanistan series last year.

"The coach [Chandika Hathurusingha] and I have informed Mushfiqur officially [that he will play only as a batsman]," ESPNcricinfo quoted Mahmud as saying.

"He is the best batsman in the team. He is in such form that we believe he will be able to give more to the team, which is why he will bat at No. 4 and will not be keeping wickets. Mushfiqur has taken the decision positively, which is the best part."

The BCB manager further revealed that they gave Mushfiqur examples of Kumar Sangakkara and Brendan Taylor whose batting improved as soon as they gave up wicketkeeping in Tests.

"It is hard to play as wicketkeeper, captain and batsman," he said.

Liton, 22, has done wicket-keeping in the three Tests he played in 2015, against India and South Africa.