DHAKA, – Considering the form of pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, Bangladesh team management tries its best to get him fit ahead of their crucial clash against Afghanistan on Tuesday at the Southampton.
Saifuddin has been the Bangladesh’s ‘go to’ bowler in the death over and is the highest wicket-taker for the side with nine scalps in four matches.
He was ruled out of the side strain in Bangladesh’s last match against Australia and the team felt his absence badly in the last 10 overs when they conceded 136 runs to loss the match eventually.
With the World Cup point table being exposed widely after Sri Lanka’s upset win over England, there is now prospect for Bangladesh to reach the semifinal but they need to win their remaining three matches.
Bangladesh will start their mission afresh by taking on Afghanistan, a team whom they dominated in ODI cricket in the recent past.
Bangladesh Cricket Board official said on Saturday that they are going to wait till the last minute for injured Saifuddin.
”I just saw him lying in front of the physio table and he is working with him. We are waiting for the physio report,” BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin told the reporters on Saturday at Southampton.
”His injury is not that serious but he got stiffness on his back muscle. It can happen as they are not used to play for such a long period at a stretch,” he said.
Minhajul said either Taskin Ahmed or Farhad Reza could replace Saifuddin if he fails to get fit adequately for the tournament.
”If he is not available than we have to choose between Taskin Ahmed and Farhad Reza,” he said.
Saifuddin injury-forced absence against Australia however raised a doubt within the team as projected in different media and social media outlets. There was allegation with the injury he still could make him available but he didn’t do so.
Rubel Hossain replaced him and fared quite badly against Australia, giving away 83 runs in nine overs.
Doubts were raised after out of nowhere Saifuddin claimed that he is having pain on his back that he sustained during the game against West Indies.
Questions were raised why he did not ask medication immediately during the match against West Indies and instead just informed about the injury just when the team management was looking to select the playing XI against Australia.
Meanwhile, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat who was also ruled out of the Bangladesh’s match against Australia due to shoulder injury is likely to get fit ahead of the match against Afghanistan.
