Mustafizur Rahman could be on the plane for Bangladesh’s full-fledged series in Sri Lanka as chief selector Minhajul Abedin has indicated the left-arm pacer is getting back to his best ahead of the tour.
The 21-year-old has not played too many international games since undergoing a shoulder surgery in August last year after aggravating an old injury earlier in July during his short stint with English county side Sussex in the Twenty20 Blast. He was picked for the New Zealand tour but struggled to do well, taking five wickets in the four limited-overs matches he played. After that, Bangladesh dropped him from the squad for the one-off Test against India to give him time to recover fully from the shoulder surgery.
But according to Minhajul, the bowler is on his way to returning to action at the highest stage after an impressive outing in the Bangladesh Cricket League. Playing for the South Zone, he took four wickets in 48 overs.
“I am really impressed with the way he bowled in the second innings [against Central Zone],” Minhajul said.
“I think he got back his rhythm, so there is no need for him to play the fourth-round match. You can only know whether he will be in the Test team or not when we announce it but I can say that he is ready to play the full series in Sri Lanka.”
Mustafizur has said he has fully recovered from the injury and is confident of performing well.
“I felt a little discomfort on my back but gradually everything was fine,” Mustafizur told the Dhaka-based Daily Star.
“I bowled 31 overs with ease. Playing two rounds of BCL matches helped me a lot to get back full confidence in my bowling.
“I now have full confidence to play the Sri Lanka series but the selectors and team management will take the decision about what would be best for me. I missed the Test in India so I am looking forward to Sri Lanka. Mentally I am also fresh now and I am happy with the way I bowled in the last round of the BCL,” he added.
Meanwhile, Khaled Mahmud, the BCB director and Bangladesh manager, has backed the bowler to play against Sri Lanka but urged the team-management to carefully handle the injury-prone bowler.
“I am sure he can play in all three formats in Sri Lanka but we have to keep in mind that he has just returned from a major injury,” Mahmud said.
“If we handle him with care, his career will be prolonged.”
Bangladesh are scheduled to leave for Sri Lanka on February 27 for two Test matches, three ODIs and two T20Is.