Bangladesh national cricket team left the country yesterday for Dehradun to play a three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan, a series with which they kick-start their busy cricket schedule.

All but three players—Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman-reached Dehradun in which they would play a practice match on May 31 before the three-match T20 series starts.

Tamim Iqbal went to London to play an exhibition T20 match against West Indies for an ICC World XI at Lord’s. Shakib Al Hasan also due to play the match but withdrew his name to take rest after a long IPL season. Shakib will join the team on May 31.

Mustafizur Rahman injured his big toe on left foot at the last moment and subsequently was ruled out from the series. Even though he was off-colour in IPL, Mustafizur was Bangladesh's best bowler during the Nidahas Trophy T20s in March.

Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in three T20s on June 3, 5 and 7 at the newly built Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, the Afghanistan’s adopted home venue. Afghanistan are also set to be without a key bowler, after Dawlat Zadran suffered a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for a month.