Mahmudullah plays waiting game

Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah Riyad was seen limping when he came out of the team hotel with his son to join Mushfiqur Rahim, who was waiting for him in a car, before leaving for Jummah prayers in Birmingham yesterday.

Still a day remains on the sanctioned five-day break for the Tigers. Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal are yet to return from London while skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Mehedi Hasan Miraz are also enjoying the break.

However, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur stayed back in the hotel and did not even leave their rooms if not for any important errands. “Alhamdulillah, I am fine now” was the reply of Mahmudullah when asked how he was feeling and about his injured right calf. However, that did not mean he is perfectly fit to play a match. According to physio Thihan Chandramohan, Mahmudullah suffered a Grade 1 tear on his right calf, which should recover after a week’s rest.

The chief selector Minhajul Abedin informed from London that, ‘Mahmudullah’s condition is getting better but nothing can be said for sure now. We need to wait as only after the 30th can we know for sure if he can play or not’.

However, there remains a confusion as to when Mahmudullah suffered this injury. According to official reports, Mahmudullah suffered a Grade 1 tear on his right calf muscle during the Tigers’ game against Afghanistan. He had struggled during his 27-ball 38-run knock and was seen hobbling while running between wickets and could not return to the field afterwards.

It however still remains unclear if he had suffered this injury whilst the Afghanistan game or was he already injured before walking in to bat in the match. He was seen receiving treatment on his right leg during a drinks break just moments after he had walked onto the pitch. At that time the physio was also seen putting medical wrap around his calf. He had hobbled for the whole time in the game. And it was not made clear as to exactly when he suffered the injury. Did Mahmudullah come to bat that day with a pre-existing injury for it was a must win game for the Tigers against Afghanistan? Will he have to also play against India being half fit?