Shakib returns in high spirits

When an injured Shakib Al Hasan left for Australia for treatment on his infected left little finger, the anxiety on his face was clearly visible but when he returned yesterday there was a big smile on his face as he walked out of the Hazrat Shahjalal International airport in Dhaka.

The all-rounder had good news for his fans and the country's cricket as he said that his infection is under control but needed monitoring. He was expected to be back to playing within the next three months so that he can test whether cricketing activity causes pain to the injured finger that he hurt in January and which forced him to return home midway through the recent Asia Cup in the UAE.

"The update is good as the infection is under control but I have to monitor that through blood tests every week to know whether it [infection] increases or if there are any other issues. But so far, the infection is under control," Shakib told reporters yesterday.

The 31-year-old however informed that there is no possibility of undergoing surgery in the next six to 12 months, adding that the best outcome would be to be able to play without surgery.

"If there is any infection in the bone then there is no possibility of that going away with medication since antibiotics travel through the blood and it won't travel to the bones. For sure there won't be any surgery for the next six to 12 months. Whether it's me or the physio [Thihan Chandramohan], we are thinking about the ways in which it would be possible to play without a surgery," he said.

There were concerns about whether Shakib would be able to recover before the next World Cup in England next year. The champion all-rounder informed that there is no set time frame for his recovery and that it might take a month or even six months to fully recover.

"This is such a problem that there is no time frame as I may be able to play after a month as there is no pain and I am feeling much better. It's important for me to regain the strength in my hand and I will be able to return through rehabilitation soon. And if the strength comes I will be able to return in the next month. But if the pain reoccurs after the rehabilitation then I have to wait for surgery.

"It's a bit uncertain but the good thing is that the infection has subsided. So it's possible to play without surgery now and if that happens that would be the best option. But it's tough to confirm it as it might take a month or even six months. I hope that I will be able to play after a month. But still, as there is a matter of gaining strength it won't be possible before that and it may take more than a month," said Shakib.

The all-rounder once again informed that the injured finger will never be hundred per cent fit again but added that it is not like he would not be able to play cricket with it.