The reality exposed in the ongoing Asia Cup for Bangladesh has certainly compelled Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the team management to only hope that their best players will be available for the upcoming World Cup in October.
On the batting front, the return of seasoned opener Tamim Iqbal and in-form Najmul Hossain Shanto will give the Tigers’ misfiring batting lineup a much-needed balance for the showpiece event in India.
BCB chief physician Debashis Chowdhury, however, provided encouraging fitness updates of the two aforementioned players yesterday.
Tamim mentioned three days ago that he was hopeful of featuring in the three-match ODI home series against New Zealand, starting from September 21.
“Tamim is doing very well right at this moment. He has no complaints regarding back pain. He is facing all sorts of bowling at the nets, apart from performing fielding and running drills. He will now start batting in central wickets without nets,” informed Debashis.
The ongoing Asia Cup saw the Tigers’ top-order, devoid of Tamim and Shanto, lack back-up plans.
Thus, nothing would fare better for Bangladesh than to see Tamim rediscover his mojo in the New Zealand series. For the greater interest of the team, it is also important for the former Bangladesh ODI captain to be comfortable in the dressing room when he reunites with his teammates since withdrawing his retirement.
In Shanto’s case, the team management needs to be cautious about his return to the New Zealand series since a hamstring injury forced the batter’s exit from the Asia Cup. Shanto scored 193 runs in two matches and his absence was badly felt during Bangladesh’s two Super Four matches.
Debashis also expressed his satisfaction over Shanto’s rehabilitation progress.
“Shanto’s is now running with 60 percent intensity. It’s very difficult to give any time frame about his return, but he will be okay very soon.”
According to sources within the team management, Shanto could be allowed to skip the entire New Zealand series to keep him fresh for the World Cup, or he might play one match to get back into rhythm.
Debashis, however, cautioned that a successive hamstring injury can prove to be fatal for Shanto since “it will take more time for him to get back to full fitness”.
“Look, he might have played the [Asia Cup] tournament with this injury, but he had to return to avoid the risk. But he is now doing very well.”
