Bangladesh received a massive setback ahead of their crucial game against South Africa in the ongoing ICC World Cup as their premier fast bowler Taskin Ahmed appears doubtful for the game due to a shoulder injury.
Taskin did not feature against India in their last game due to the injury and it is understood that he is yet to recover completely, forcing him to be out of action during the inaugural training session at the Wankhede Stadium on October 22.
“Let us see what happens today (in the practice session) but he looks doubtful for the next game against South Africa as he is yet to recover fully,” a member of the team management told Cricadvisor on Monday.
“Even if we don’t get Taskin against South Africa, we are expecting him to be available when we start our campaign in Kolkata,” he said indicating that they are targeting the game against Netherlands, scheduled on October 28.
During their tour of South Africa in 2022, Taskin sustained a shoulder injury when he was unable to complete the opening Test. It was recommended that he undergo surgery, but team management decided against it in order to prepare for the 2022 T20 World Cup.
During the game against England, he expressed his distress to head coach Chandika Hathurusingha. On October 18, prior to the match against New Zealand in Chennai, he did the same during a batting practice.
Hathurusingha even showed him some arm-freeing exercises, after which he was included in the starting lineup for the match against New Zealand, despite the fact that he failed to make an impression.
Taskin did not bowl a single ball during the first training session and spent the entire day doing rehabilitation work with physio Bayzidul Islam.
Bangladesh will also be keeping a close watch on ODI captain Shakib al Hasan, who missed the game against India, as he is anticipated to bowl today for the first time since suffering a quad tear against New Zealand.
