Right-handed all-rounder Mahmdullah is confident to bowl for Bangladesh in the upcoming home series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The off-spinner was out from action with the cherry in hand during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 nursing a shoulder injury. Later in the three-match ODI series against hosts Sri Lanka, Mahmudllah having recovered a bit bowled three overs in two innings and remained wickets less conceding 26 runs.
With the 35-member national preliminary camp set to start from Monday, Mahmudullah was seen working out in the nets at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) having returned from the Eid ul Adha break.
“I am hundred percent fit after that calf muscle injury. I had tapping and running yesterday. Shoulder range is also better than before. Our [team] physio and Dr. Debashish [BCB chief physician] reported that,” said Mahmudullah to the reporters in the sideline of his personal practice session at SBNS on Sunday.
All-rounder @Mahmudullah30 brushed-off media reports that had claimed the cricketer is in row with Bangladesh Test and T20I captain @Sah75official.https://t.co/c37ev9L2TP
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 18, 2019
“I was missing bowling to be honest. It gives me an extra boost with confidence. I feel I can contribute for the team with the ball if not with the bat but I am not being able to do that for sometimes now. So I feel good now. Have started bowling from today [Sunday] and hopefully will be able to do fine in the upcoming series,” the Bangladesh Test vice-captain added.
The national cricketers are set to return to business starting Monday though a preliminary camp. The BCB selectors named a 35-member squad for the camp which is to start with strength and conditioning today. Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has also been named in the squad but is likely to not attend. It is understood that the right-arm bowler has requested leave from the camp given Bangladesh do not have an ODI anytime soon. Mashrafe has retired from T20I and last played a Test in 2009.
In September, the Tigers will first host Afghanistan for a lone Test match to be played in Chittagong from September 5 followed by a Tri-Nation T20I series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
