Shakib's op not before 6 months

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has verbally received the report of the state of Shakib Al Hasan's infected left little finger from Australia, sources with knowledge of developments confirmed to The Daily Star yesterday.

The report did not have a specific time frame and advised Shakib not to undergo surgery in the next six months or until the infection subsides.

The update, according to the sources, is that surgery can only be done after the infection is under control. Although there were no specific time frames, the report roughly estimated a six-month period to undergo surgery. But the doctors have asked the concerned personnel to monitor on a weekly basis and inform them. After assessing his condition, if they find the infection under control, they will consider surgery.

Shakib will continue the rehabilitation and he will mobilise the joint, which is known as soft tissue therapy.

The 31-year-old attended a programme at the capital yesterday and said that his condition was improving every day.

"At the moment I have no update as the infection has been subsiding for a month. I will be able to understand the situation after a month and a half but it's getting better than before. I am doing blood tests every week to assess the condition but till now everything is positive and I am recovering fast. It's a matter of time," Shakib told the reporters.

Shakib returned from Melbourne on October 14 after he went for further treatment under Dr. David Hoy.