In two separate incidents yesterday, Bangladesh’s one-day international captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza and middle-order batsman Mahmudullah were struck down by unfortunate injuries. While Mashrafe will have enough time to recover for the ODIs, Mahmudullah was ruled out of the upcoming home series against India with a fractured left index finger.
Mashrafe never hesitates to dive on the field even though people always fear it may put him in trouble, given his history of falling prey to injury. But, it was a different situation yesterday when a dive probably saved the fast bowler from greater damage.
A little after 9am, Mashrafe took a rickshaw from his home in Pallabi and was headed towards the Mirpur stadium. When he was passing Kalshi road, a reckless local bus driver hit the rickshaw he was on from behind.
“It came to my attention that the driver of the bus behind me was driving recklessly and so I was alert,” explained Mashrafe after taking treatment from the BCB medical room. “I jumped off as soon as I realised that the bus was about to hit my rickshaw. The bus did collide as the rickshaw wheels came off.”
The dive left Mashrafe with cuts and bruises on both palms while hitting the hard road also swelled his knee. “The on-duty policemen picked me up and also arrested the bus driver, but I asked to let him go. They also wanted to take me to the hospital, but I thought it would be best for me to take the treatment here (BCB).”
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha expressed his concern of getting his one-day captain fit as he said, “This is unfortunate. We are concerned about his palm. But we will give him maximum chance to recover in time for the ODI series.”
BCB physiotherapist Baizidul Islam, however, diffused the tension as he said, “The injuries are not anything major and there is nothing to worry about. He will recover soon I believe. He is not a member of the Test squad so he will get enough time for recovery before the ODI series which starts on June 18.”
Mashrafe’s news was a relief, Mahmdullah’s wasn’t. The Bangladesh No 4 batsman fractured his finger while taking a catch during their fielding session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. After being rushed to the nearby hospital for X-ray, reports revealed a fracture on his index finger.
Physio Baizid was in action again as he confirmed the injury and said it will need at least four weeks for Mahmudullah to recover. The rest advised to Mahmudullah means he will not be a part of the home series against India while his availability for the initial part of the home series against South Africa, starting on July 5, is also under doubt.
Nasir Hossain, who last featured in a Test in September 2014 against West Indies at Gros Islet, was named as his replacement.
