On the road to recovery
With less than two months to go until the ICC World Cup in England this summer, the selectors are eagerly monitoring the long list of injured Tigers ahead of the mega-event.
Almost all the injured cricketers have started rehabilitation while others are taking rest to recover from their respective injuries, but the Tigers' think tank will want them to be fully-fit for the tri-nation series in Ireland scheduled from May 7 -- which will act as a dress rehearsal of sorts leading up to the mega event.
Bangladesh Cricket Board chief physician Debashish Chowdhury is busy dealing with the various injuries, but he informed that he was confident the players would make a timely recovery.
Mahmudullah Riyad: The experienced cricketer has been suffering from stiffness in his shoulder following non-stop cricket over the past four months. The injury worsened when he dove to stop the ball while fielding against New Zealand in the third ODI on February 20. Scans later revealed that he had suffered a grade 3 tear and there were concerns the cricketer might require surgery. However, much to Riyad's relief, his rehabilitation went well and he has already started batting in the nets without any pain but will need more time to bowl. Yet, the 33-year old is confident that he will be able to recover in time to chip in a few overs with the ball in the World Cup.
Rubel Hossain: Fast bowler Rubel suffered a side strain during a Dhaka Premier League game last month and is currently resting. The hero for the Tigers in the famous win against England in the previous World Cup is currently working on his fitness and he is hopeful of recovering within the next few days.
Mushfiqur Rahim: The experienced cricketer has dealt with multiple injuries over the past few months but has yet to recover fully from a broken rib cage which he sustained in the Asia Cup in Dubai last year. The wicketkeeper-batsman and Bangladesh fans will be relieved to hear that his scan showed nothing serious, with Mushfiqur requiring only some rest. On another positive note, the cricketer has recovered from a finger injury which he sustained during the tour of New Zealand.
Taskin Ahmed: The tall pacer showed a glimpse of returning to his full rhythm during the Bangladesh Premier League earlier this year and was rewarded subsequently by making a comeback to the ODI side after two years. Disappointingly, he twisted his ankle while fielding and missed out on the series against New Zealand. The 24-year-old did manage to make a comeback in the ongoing DPL yesterday and although he was unable to shine on his return, the selectors will surely keep a close eye on him before announcing the World Cup squad.
Mohammad Saifuddin: Despite suffering from tennis elbow, young pace bowling all-rounder Saifuddin is continuing playing in the DPL. Apart from long throws from outside the thirty-yard circle, Saifuddin is not facing any difficulties while batting or bowling.