Tamim causes WC concern

A test report yesterday has revealed a meniscus tear in Tamim Iqbal's left knee. The injury may require a surgery which can keep the opener out of the game for around one and half month. photo: star file

Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal has been diagnosed with a meniscus tear in his left knee and the left-hander may go to Australia for surgery to fix it.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) physician Debashish Chowdhury informed yesterday that the MRI report revealed a meniscus tear in his left knee what someone generally needs about one and a half month's time to recover from. But he said that it was too early to say the batsman would be ruled out of the ICC World Cup to be held in Australia-New Zealand in February and March.

The board already emailed all the reports to Australia and was also taking all necessary preparations so that they could send Tamim down under if experts opined for operation.

Tamim felt pain in his left knee during the recently-concluded home series against Zimbabwe and he was diagnosed with hamstring injury for what he had taken ten days rest before featuring in the Dhaka Premier League. But as the pain remained the opener went for the MRI only to get the bad news ahead of the World Cup.

"This is a Grade I injury. We sent the reports to Australia where Dr. David Young along with his colleagues will review the reports and after getting their feedback we will take the final decision about his treatment," informed Debashish.

"It's all but confirmed that they would like to see him physically and that's why we took all kinds of preparations for sending him to Australia. There are two options of treatment; one is conservative and other is operative. There are also different types of operations, so it's not possible right at this moment to say how much time he would need," he added.

Debashish also said it's become a delicate issue as the World Cup is drawing nearer.

"We cannot say anything about his World Cup chances," said Debashish.

The injury to a vital player like Tamim came as a shock to the team think-tank, but chief selector Faruque Ahmed said that it was not the time to come to any conclusion.

"Yes it's a bad news but still we cannot say it's a setback because he [Tamim] is going to Australia and after that we will get the clear picture. We still have time in our hand," said Faruque. The three-member selection panel must announce the final 15-member World Cup team by January 7.

According to sources, it would however fully depend on Tamim whether he would go for long-term safety in his career or prefer the World Cup most.

Bangladesh also has very important home assignments right after the World Cup.