'Don't want to miss the golden chance'

Bangladesh Cricket Board's sports physician Debashish Chowdhury made an interesting statement with regards to Imrul Kayes on Saturday. He said that although Imrul was recovering well, his pain could return since it was a muscle injury.

A day later Imrul arrived at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur and went through the prescribed rehabilitation process. He ran for a bit and then hit the gym for a while. Upon being enquired about his injury, Imrul did not seem too concerned. However, his reply was a bit more diplomatic when asked if he would be able to play in the warm-up game against India, scheduled to begin on February 5.

“I don't have any pain. It does not hurt like before. I ran a bit today. I did some cycling as well. I don't have any kind of pain. I spoke to the doctor as well. The Test is on the ninth. I think I will be fine before the start of the game,” said the batsman, who had kept for nearly 150 overs in the first innings of the first Test in New Zealand in the absence of Mushfiqur Rahim before injuring his thigh while batting in the second innings.

“Whether I will play the practice match or not will depend upon my physio. If the physio gives the management a good sign, then maybe I will be able to play the tour. If I don't get selected, then that's a different issue. But other than that, I will play if the physio deems me fit.

“There are still five to six days left. If I train hard in the coming days, I am sure something good will happen,” added the left-hander.

It's not a series that Imrul will want to miss. This is the first time that Bangladesh is playing a bilateral series against India in India and that fact itself makes it historic.

“Everybody is looking forward to the India series. We don't get to play that often over there… we don't get too many chances. Everyone wants a golden chance like this. Me and everyone else… we are all excited about this series,” said Imrul.

A thigh injury forced Imrul to return home midway through the New Zealand series. While he described his premature return as unfortunate, he has learnt to accept the fact and look beyond it. At the moment the New Zealand blues seem to have disappeared and all he is thinking about is the India series.