Taskin leaves for England as Shoriful, Ebadot overcome injuries

Bangladesh paceman Taskin Ahmed left for England today to get an assessment of the back injury he incurred during the series against South Africa. Taskin's injury saw him sit out of the second Test in South Africa and he was subsequently ruled out for the upcoming Test series at home against Sri Lanka, slated to begin with the first Test at Chattogram from May 15.

Taskin had his bouts with back injuries recently. During the last BPL, Taskin had to pull out of the tournament due to injury troubles and to recuperate for national assignment against Afghanistan. Having opted not to play the IPL, Taskin then breathed fire in South Africa, culminating in one of Bangladesh's most historic ODI series win in foreign soil and their first win and also series win of any kind of South African soil against the hosts.

He picked up the player of the match award in the third ODI with a fifer and was also named player of the series. The Test series however saw him struggle with an injury and he bowled through pain during the first Test before he returned home unable to take part in the second Test due to injury.

"Taskin bhai departed for England this morning. As far as I know, he will return on the 14th of this month," BCB physican Monzur Hossain told The Daily Star today.

What remedies or steps will be taken for Taskin to overcome the back injury is yet to be decided. Previously, the BCB had adopted a conservative approach with two-and-a-half weeks rest but they also wanted a second opinion. Thus, Taskin's visit to England will be to see what options are available.

Asked if there is a chance for surgery, Monzur said: "After the doctor sees him, we will know."

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's U-19 World Cup winner Avishek Das, who scalped three wickets in the final against India in 2019, has already left for England on May 4. "He too has a back injury. We sent him to India previously and this time we sent him to England for expert opinion. He will return to the country with Taskin bhai," Monzur informed.

Both fast bowlers Ebadot Hossain and Shoriful Islam had injury concerns with the latter being included in the squad for the first Test subject to fitness. Ebadot suffered an injury to the webbing of his hand during a DPL match recently. Monzur informed that both fast bowlers have overcome their injury issues.

"Shoriful is doing much better and he will not require anything else [in terms of injury management]. They both are available and have overcome injury issues," he concluded.

Bangladesh have included pacer Shohidul Islam and Rejaur Rahman Raja in the squad for the first Test. With Khaled Ahmed also available, Bangladesh will be able to bank on a potent pace attack despite Taskin's injury.