Mortaza's departure delayed due to fever

Mashrafe Mortaza's departure for New Zealand has been delayed owing to a bout of fever. He was due to leave Dhaka this evening along with team-mates Shahadat Hossain, Mahmudullah and Aftab Ahmed to link up with the limited-overs squad.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board did not confirm when Mortaza, who was recalled to the Bangladesh limited-overs squad after a seven-month lay-off, would depart.

Mortaza underwent knee surgery after the tour of the West Indies last year and was forced to miss the home Tests against India and the tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka. He was officially named captain before the team departed for the West Indies but since the first Test of that tour, when he suffered the injury, Shakib Al Hasan has led the team in his absence.

The tour begins on February 3 with a one-off Twenty20, followed by three ODIs.