Riyad's race against time
If you're a cricketer, you wouldn't want to be in Mahmudullah Riyad's shoes at the moment. While members of the Bangladesh ODI team are either celebrating or spending quality time with their families following the historic series victory against India, Riyad is busy sweating it out at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in a bid to recover from a fracture on his finger which he sustained earlier this month.
If everything goes according to the rehabilitation plan, Riyad will be featuring in a Twenty20 practice match against the South Africans on July 3. His performance in that particular match could decide his fate for the South Africa series.
Then again, Riyad's inclusion in the side may not just depend upon his fitness levels. Riyad's replacement in the India series, Litton Das, played the dual role of wicketkeeper and batsman. With Mushfiqur Rahim not donning the gloves in the last two ODIs, it's still uncertain if he can keep in the South Africa series. And that would once again open the door for Litton.
The 20-year-old may not have had a start akin to Mustafizur Rahman in the India series, but his positive stroke-play received plenty of acclaim. His 44 in the lone Test was eye-catching and it was something that compelled the team management to pick him ahead of Rony Talukdar and Mominul Haque in the ODIs.
While he did get starts, with scores of 34 and 36 in the last two ODIs, his nervousness seemed to get the better of him in each of those innings.
Considering all these factors, it wasn't a surprise to see Riyad hitting the field a week earlier than his original rehabilitation plan. According to sources, Riyad, despite having completely recovered from the injury, wanted to start his programme a week earlier than scheduled.
While the move has been described as a 'calculative risk' by certain officials in the BCB, with so much competition around, it seemed to be the only option for the 29-year-old. He is expected to start batting from July 1.
On the other hand, the increase in competition has been welcomed by chief selector Faruque Ahmed, who yesterday congratulated the Tigers for their historic series victory over India.
"I think it's good to have this kind of a dilemma. When you have in-form players, there is always competition," said Faruque.
"The boys, the team management, they all need a pat on the back. I think beating India in the sub-continent is a great achievement. It's a very unusual feat.
"I thought Mustafizur's [Rahman] feat was quite extraordinary. The other youngsters are also on track. So as selectors we are quite happy," he added.
With the South Africa series due to begin on July 5, there aren't likely to be too many changes in the squad. However, apart from Riyad, there is concern about Taskin Ahmed, who suffered a side-strain during the India series and may miss the T20Is.
It was also learnt that the BCB's medical staff may speak to a hand surgeon for Mushfiqur, who hasn't been keeping due to his hand injury, after the South Africa series if the batsman complains of any pain.
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