Tamim hopeful of return
There has not been a lot to smile about on this tour for Bangladesh or their fans but the fact that opener Tamim Iqbal came to the pre-match media conference yesterday, ahead of today's second ODI against South Africa in Paarl, could be said to be a good omen as far as him featuring in the match today is concerned.
In gloomy weather conditions Tamim, fellow injury concern Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Soumya Sarkar and Mominul Haque came to the Boland Park Stadium for an optional practice session. Skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and the rest sat out the session because only indoor practice would be possible in rainy Paarl.
Having missed the second Test and first ODI because of not having fully recovered from a thigh muscle tear sustained earlier on tour, Tamim did a few sprints -- which he had done before the first ODI as well -- and seemed comfortable when batting in the indoor nets yesterday against throwdowns from coach Chandika Hathurusingha and some gentle medium pacers from trainer Mario Villavarayan.
"I have probably had three batting sessions in the last 15 days, which is not ideal. I am trying to get prepared mentally. I think I am ready for it, depending on my fitness test today," said Tamim. "I was close to playing the last game. If my fitness test goes well today, I don't see why I can't play tomorrow. Injuries need time. This is not my last match, nor is it Bangladesh's last tour. If I get injured again [in the same place], then I will be out for two months which I hope the team management doesn't want and neither do I."
Team manager Minhajul Abedin later informed that Tamim passed the fitness Test, and will play if everything is okay this morning.
Batsman Mushfiqur, who scored a century in the first game but did not take the field because of a tweaked hamstring, also seemed fine, according to team manager Minhajul Abedin. He did some sprints along with the physio Thihan Chandramohan at the soggy venue, and seemed his effervescent self while batting in the nets, dancing down the wicket to drive Mehedi and spin-bowling coach Sunil Joshi on a few occasions.
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