Bangladesh Cricket: Cloud clearing over Mustafizur Rahman

Bangladesh’s pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman bowled in the Hagley Oval wicket with good pace today.

He also had his fielding session, running in the deep and throwing in the 30-yard circle. And judging by his frantic activities coupled with the chirpy mood he was in after a full-length training session, it is almost certain that the 21-year-old will make his return to international cricket after a gap of seven months due to a shoulder injury.

“The physio has cleared him. But it would be his call before we make a decision for his availability for tomorrow's match,” captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said while talking to reporters in the afternoon.

Mashrafe however said that they were not in a rush because they have one more day to assess his improvement. 

Asked if he would take the risk of playing Mustafizur if he were 90 per cent fit, the Tigers captain said: “This is where the player has to make a decision. If he feels that he has still some problem he will have to tell it to the team management. Obviously we don’t want him to play under any undue pressure.”

Mustafizur’s availability in the crucial opening ODI on the Boxing Day against the Black Caps is of paramount importance for the Tigers, who are desperately looking for their first-ever win on New Zealand soil.

Coach Chandika Hatuhrusingha said ‘everyday is an improvement for Fizz', but the strictly regimented Sri Lankan added: “I want you to be 100 per cent if you want to play for your national team. We are not a one man team.”