SPORTS DESK:

Bangladesh are hopeful of getting a fully-fit Taskin Ahmed ahead of their T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Sri Lanka in Dallas as the pacer continues to recover from his rib injury that he suffered against Zimbabwe.

The tall right-arm pacer had suffered a rib fracture in the fourth T20I against Zimbabwe at home and had to miss their three-match T20I series against USA last month.

Despite the injury, Bangladesh kept Taskin in the side and will play a crucial role in the Bangla Tiger’s journey in the tournament.

The availability of Taskin became vital for the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side Shoriful sustained six stitches on his left hand during their warm-up game against India and is set to miss their campaign opener against the Lankans on June 7.

However, a call on Taskin will be taken following his training session on June 5. The tall pacer started his bowling on June 1 and was expected to have an outdoor session two days later. But heavy rains kept him indoors as Bangladesh travelled to Mustang Cricket Academy indoors instead of Grand Prairie.

“Taskin so far the way he progressed, Alhamdulillah [praise be to god]. He progressed really well. We have made some day-to-day plan for him. He was expected to bowl today (June 3) and we planned that he would bowl outdoor,” BCB’s physio Bayjedul Islam Bayezid told media.

“He is looking good and we are capturing every session to analyze and he is carrying a GPS meter where we can see how much effort he is giving and what is happening with him as we are monitoring him in details. If we see any fluctuation, we work with it but so far he is progressing well and today he gave better effort. On the next day, he is expected to give more effort,” he said.

“Taskin has a good chance (for the first match) and that is reason he is in the World Cup squad and usually these kind of injuries take four weeks to heal and at times it can get a bit late but his progress is good. We are hopeful that he will be hundred percent by seventh,” he said.

Source: India.com