Dhaka: Kent's Director of Cricket Simon Cook said today that the team will miss the service of Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud as they have been in contention to move to Division one in the County Championship. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recalled Hasan to manage his workload ahead of the upcoming tight International schedule. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the BCB has opted to reduce Hasan's workload with Bangladesh preparing for the Asian Games and a demanding international programme. Hasan could feature in the Asian Games quarterfinal on September 28, followed by Test series against Afghanistan and the West Indies and a tour of South Africa later in the year. "We're disappointed to have lost Hasan's services for the County Championship run-in, but we respect the decision made by the BCB after constructive talks, and wish him well this Winter," Cook said in Kent's website today. However, another Bangladesh fast bowler Syed Khaled Ahmed will continue to play for Kent. Whilst Hasan will be a big miss, both of Kent's other overseas bowlers, Keith Dudgeon and Khaled Ahmed, remain available for these last two matches of the Summer. Kent will be without Hasan Mahmud for their final two County Championship matches of the season. The 26-year-old pacer took 26 wickets in four Championship appearances, helping Kent climb to third place in Division Two. He also claimed four wickets in the Vitality Blast, finishing his county stint with 30 wickets in seven matches across the two competitions. Kent will host Lancashire in their next Championship match starting Tuesday before ending their campaign against Gloucestershire. Despite losing Hasan, Kent remain firmly in contention for promotion. They are third in Division Two, just two points behind second-placed Northamptonshire. Durham have already secured promotion after winning the division. Kent will therefore face a significant challenge in their final two matches as they seek to secure a return to Division One. "Everyone at the Club thanks Hasan for hi s services in the season, after taking 30 wickets in seven appearances across the Rothesay County Championship and Vitality Blast. He will always be welcome back at Kent," Cook concluded.
