Rubel the only doubtful starter

Injuries have become the norm recently in Bangladesh cricket, but it is an ailment rather than a niggle that has put the participation of one of the Tigers' main bowlers in doubt in the ODI series opener against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza informed on Saturday in the pre-series press conference in Mirpur that national physio Thihan Chandramohan is still monitoring the progress of fast bowler Rubel Hossain, who is recovering from fever. 

"Rubel has returned from the hospital yesterday, he had fever and has taken antibiotics, so there's the matter of recovery," Mashrafe said. "The physio is monitoring him to see what happens eventually." 

Rubel was the standout performer in Bangladesh's last ODI, the Asia Cup final against India in Dubai on September 28, when he took two wickets for 26 runs and led a spirited but ultimately futile defence of a sub-par total. 

The Asia Cup was a damaging tournament for Bangladesh in terms of injury. Talismanic opener Tamim Iqbal picked up a left knuckle fracture in the very first match and was ruled out for that tournament and the series against Zimbabwe, and ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's left little finger injury flared up and became infected, ruling him out of cricket for as much as three months. 

Even the skipper picked up a right little finger injury in the penultimate match against Pakistan when he spectacularly caught Shoaib Malik. Senior batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, meanwhile, has been carrying a rib injury for some time.

Mashrafe, however, had good news on the injury front for the rest of the team. 

"Other than that [Rubel's issue] everyone else is in a good state in the team," he added. "I play one format so I have to have the mental setup that I will play if I have a niggle or two. So when I think of the next series I think that this series is important. The others play all formats, and if someone is not in the team he can play four-day cricket too. I can't do that; I have to depend on international cricket and practice. By the grace of God, I am in a good state. Mushfiqur is also feeling good now."