Bangladesh cricket team left for the UAE to take part in the Asia Cup with some injury concerns but manager Khaled Mahumud ruled them out Thursday.
Tigers’ all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, opening batsman Tamim Iqbal and youngster Nazmul Hossain Shanto were carrying some injuries but Mahmud assured those will not hamper their preparation for the tournament.
Former Bangladesh captain and also a BCB director, Mahmud termed the injuries as “niggles” and informed that the trio are preparing in every way possible for the tournament, set to start Saturday. Bangladesh on the opening day will take on five-time Asia Cup champion Sri Lanka at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Shakib has been carrying injury on his left little finger since January this year while Tamim has been dealing with a swollen right ring finger. Shanto suffered a dislocated right index finger during a practice session in Dhaka.
Tigers had a rest day and the team did not have any practice session Thursday. But the injured trio had their training mood on as Shakib, Tamim and Shanto were the only members to sweat it out at DICS under the supervision of head coach Steve Rhodes.
According to Mahmud, the three cricketers could not get enough practice and the team management thought of working with them. Tamim did not only have to deal with injury but he also arrived late in Dubai due to visa complications.
.@Sah75official joins squad as @BCBtigers start training in #Dubaihttps://t.co/FSS4JjWvDK
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Shanto was in rest while Shakib was away with family to enjoy his vacation. Mahmud himself also arrived late in Dubai due to delayed visa.
"The way international cricket is going and the amount of international cricket they play, there will be small niggles, and it's about recovering as well as possible and playing with them as much as possible. Of course, it's a problem if it's unplayable but I don't think the injuries are so bad. I think they are recovering well. They went to practise [Thursday] - Shanto has a slight injury, Tamim and Shakib too," said Mahmud to the reporters in team hotel in Dubai Thursday.
The former Bangladesh cricketer also brushed aside speculation over Shakib’s availability for the six-nation tournament.
"I think they are keen to play - they want to do well. I don't think injuries will have a big effect on us. Hopefully we can play with our full squad," Mahmud clarified.
"I think the skill of Shakib along with the experience he has makes him super important for the team and he knows that. He knows exactly how to deal with such injuries and how to play his best cricket even with them. He's been playing international cricket for a while now and at his level, players have niggles a lot of the time, but they work through it," he added.
