As Bangladesh started training today in Sylhet, batter Najmul Hossain Shanto gave the bowler a backhanded blow that nearly resulted in Hasan Mahmud’s injury. Hasan, who may play his first Test match in the forthcoming series against New Zealand, was taken out clutching his arm but eventually got back up to resume bowling at the nets.
However, the Tigers have a few injury concerns and absentees ahead of their three ODIs and three T20Is away tour of New Zealand.
After a protracted rehabilitation procedure, Taskin Ahmed is unlikely to play in the Bangladesh Premier League or the forthcoming tour to New Zealand. The BCB medical staff has recommended rest during the early phases of recuperation due to the impact that surgery has had on pacers in the past.
“We have requested that he entirely stop bowling for a period of four weeks. We will evaluate him and make a choice after four weeks. Our goal is for him to return fully fit. Dr. Debashish Chowdhury, the top physician of BCB, informed the media yesterday that “we will take whatever time is necessary.”
Taskin had been ordered to take two weeks off from all activities following the World Cup match in Pune against Australia. Although he can still bowl despite the injury, his two weeks of total rest will expire on November 25. The road to recovery will be lengthy.
“There is no alternative to long-term rehab since it’s a recurring injury,” Debashish stated.
Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of the ODI team, is still questionable for the forthcoming tour to New Zealand. Shakib, who suffered a fractured finger that prevented him from competing in the World Cup, will get an X-ray three weeks from the injury on November 6.
“Of course, we will let him play if we think it will be feasible for him [Shakib] throughout the evaluation period. However, it’s too soon to say what his condition will be in two weeks. However, we would prefer that he be pain-free and doing therapy for an extended length of time. Shakib reported that his pain has lessened from its previous high intensity.
If Shakib is unable to continue leading the ODI and T20I teams, there is uncertainty over Shakib’s replacement. Jalal Yunus, chairman of cricket operations, has stated that no talks have been held as of yet. Yunus further mentioned that although negotiations with Tamim Iqbal have not yet started, the opener is aware of the next board meeting.
Regarding Mahmudullah Riyad’s participation in the next tour, there is also uncertainty. For his shoulder, Riyad has started physiotherapy, but he needs to go through long-term rehabilitation. Pacer Ebadot Hossain, meantime, has an appointment in England on November 30 and will assess his healing from injury.