Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's return to international cricket has been put on a hold as the pace spearhead will not be going to New Zealand.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday confirmed that the "Narail Express” needed time to recover from flu. The board has also decided not to send any replacement for him.

There are four pacers in the team in Shahadat Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain and Shafiul Islam.

Mashrafe, who has been out of international cricket since injuring his knees during the first Test in West Indies last July, was declared fit only to play the T20 and three one-day internationals in New Zealand, but he couldn't fly to join the team because of a sudden fever.

The Tigers will start their campaign against the Black Caps with the T20 match at the

Seddon Park in Hamilton tomorrow.

The three one-day internationals are scheduled for February 5, 8 and 11 while the only Test match will take place also at the Seddon Park over February 15-19.