Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza admitted that he is playing without 100% fitness in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.
The Tigers won the first ODI by 28 runs at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka Sunday.
The home side will face Zimbabwe in the second match in Chittagong Wednesday and the third and final game will be played at the same venue two days later.
Mashrafe had suffered a finger injury after taking a stunning catch against Pakistan during the Asia Cup Super Four match last month in Dubai.
@BCBtigers captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza found much positives from the first match against visiting @ZimCricketv and expressed hope that the Tigers will show a more clinical performance in the 2nd and penultimate ODI in Chittagong and clinch the serieshttps://t.co/UMFa2Xcwcj#BCB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 23, 2018
Later in the final against India, he was hit on the thighs from a delivery by pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
As a result Mashrafe had to take a breather for a few weeks before returning to training after the Asia Cup.
At the moment, the skipper has not recovered 100% yet, but is fit enough to play ODIs.
“I was dealing with some injures after the Asia Cup. Actually I need more time to recover fully. I did not take part in training for the last three weeks. Thus I also had issues with my groin. The injury has not cleared yet. But anyways, I am fit enough to play this series. Physio (Thihan Chandramohan) has worked really well to get me fit. I will get a break for four-five weeks after the next two ODIs. I am planning to have some fitness related work during that time, like more strength and conditioning practice,” informed Mashrafe to the media at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium Tuesday.
