Injury wave to mar resumption

Injury issues have ruled out a majority of the national cricketers from the fourth round of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) longer version tournament that will resume from tomorrow. Prime Bank South Zone will be hardest hit with as many as six national cricketers.

Pacer Taskin Ahmed (Central Zone) and Mosaddek Hossain (South Zone), both of whom are suffering from minor back pain, will miss the fourth round while fast bowler Rubel Hossain (South Zone) -- who is currently in Bagerhat -- is suffering from high fever and will also be out of action.

Young all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz (South Zone) is down with a shoulder injury and will also not feature. Top-order batsmen Mominul Haque (East Zone) and Imrul Kayes (South Zone), on the other hand, have also asked for leave to perform Umrah.

“After discussing with our physios we have decided to give rest to Taskin and Mosaddek who are suffering from back pain while Mehedi, who is suffering from a shoulder injury, will also miss the fourth round of the BCL. We will observe the injury status of these three cricketers and if they are able to recover early they might take part in the fifth round of the BCL. On the other hand Mominul Haque and Imrul Kayes will also be unavailable as they have asked for a leave to perform Umrah,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin told The Daily Star yesterday.

Bangladesh's ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will supposedly sit out the fourth round of the BCL but return for the fifth round.

National opener Tamim Iqbal (East Zone) is going through rehabilitation after suffering a knee injury while Shakib Al Hasan (South Zone) and Mustafizur Rahman are taking part in the Indian Premier League.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief physician Debashish Chowdhury warned the cricketers to keep hydrated in the hot and humid weather.

“Normally, in April-May the weather in Bangladesh is very hot and humid and there is a high heat index, and if the temperature crosses 40 degrees then it can be harmful for the cricketers. I would like to remind the cricketers of water management if the level of heat and humidity are on the higher side at the same time. The players will have to drink water in a specific manner; it's not that you will drink only when you are thirsty,” Chowdhury told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

There was huge criticism after the Dhaka Premier League took place in April as the players had to struggle in high humidity and heat. According to Debashish, if the authority can start the game from 7:00 am instead of 9:00am it will be helpful for the players to cope with excessive heat.

Defending champions BCB North Zone will take on Walton Central Zone at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra while Prime Bank South Zone takes on Islami Bank East Zone at the Sylhet International Stadium from tomorrow.