Bangladesh try to get injured Mohammad Saifuddin back to shape before World Cup

Bangladesh’s young bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin has a back problem and that has put the Tigers under a lot of concern ahead of the World Cup starting May 30. According to the insider, the 22-year-old was having pain in the back and Bangladesh, who are currently playing a triangular series involving home side Ireland and the Windies, decided to rest him for the match against the Caribbeans on Monday. The Windies have already made the final and Bangladesh will be looking to both their remaining games against the Windies and Ireland to join them.

Saifuddin’s loss could be Abu Jayed’s gain

Medium fast bowler Abu Jayed, who has also been picked for the Bangladesh squad for the World Cup, was set to make his ODI debut. The 25-year-old was seen working with bowling coach Courtney Walsh while Saifuddin was spending time with the physio to get over his hardship.

“Saifuddin is having some kind of a pain in the back and we don’t want to take any risk with him and so we are considering him (Jayed) to make his debut against West Indies,” Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Minhajul Abedin was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. Saifuddin made his international debut in 2017 and has played in 11 ODIs and nine T20Is so far, taking 14 wickets and scoring a half-century.

Saifuddin’s injury could also open the door for Jayed for the selectors are also looking at including 32-ODI veteran Tashkin Ahmed in the squad replacing the former. BCB president Nazmul Hasan though said that the final decision will be taken only after giving Jayed a proper chance. “It would be unfair to change Jayed without giving enough opportunities,” Hasan was quoted a few days ago.

Taskin failed to earn a spot in the preliminary squad because of an injury but has been picked for the tri-series in Ireland. The countries can make changes to their squads till May 23 and the Bangladesh selectors are hoping to find some answers. Bangladesh, who produced their best result in the WC in 2015 by making the quarter-finals, will play Pakistan and India on May 26 and 28, respectively, before kicking off their campaign at the World Cup against the Proteas at the Oval on June 2.

[interaction id=”5cd58c9fe6672558c9f515ee”]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the Indian Premier League, Match Predictions,
Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.