Fitness has become the concern for Mashrafe Mortaza as the Tigers’ tour in Sri Lanka draw nears.
The 36-year-old pacer sustained a hamstring injury during the tri-nation series in Ireland before the World Cup and apparently couldn’t escape the shadow of injury as he bagged just one wicket after playing eight matches in the World Cup.
However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said they are hopeful that the Tigers’ ODI captain would be fit before flying to Sri Lanka on 20 July.
“I think he is [more or less] fit and his fitness depends on him,” BCB Selector Habibul Bashar Sumon told the media on Friday (Jul 12).
Before that, Bashar along with BCB Chief Selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu, and Manager Khaled Mahmud Sujon sat with Mashrafe for one and a half hour at the BCB head office in Dhaka.
Mashrafe, however, “must go under fitness test because concern looms over his injury,” said Bashar.
“He played World Cup with injury but still have time to recover [before leaving for Sri Lanka],” said Bashar adding they are still optimistic that Mashrafe would be available for Sri Lanka tour.
“We have no information that he will be unavailable during Sri Lanka tour,” Bashar said.
Besides, Shakib Al Hasan seeks leave from the BCB and likely to miss the ODI series in Sri Lanka.
Bashar said, “Shakib wants a leave and the matter is yet be finalised.
“But we have taken preparation to tackle all kinds of situations,” he added.
In addition to Shakib, Liton Das too, have wanted a leave.
“Liton will be on leave during the Lanka tour,” said Bashar.
A middle-order batsman, Liton will go on leave till Aug 5 as he is going to tie the knot.
Tigers’ Sri Lanka series will start on Jul 26. The other matches will be played on Jul 28 and Jul 31.