Nazmul Islam, Shakib Al Hasan’s injuries put Bangladesh’s plans in jeopardy ahead of Asia Cup

Injuries to some of its key players ahead of the Asia Cup 2018 scheduled next month have put the Bangladeshi national side in a spot of bother. While their left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam sustained an injury on his left hand during the recent T20I series against the West Indies in the USA, premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is also coping with an old figure injury.

The two players could be out from competitive cricket for a long time, jeopardising their national team’s plans. Islam, 27, sustained an injury in four places on his left hand when the Caribbean batsman at the non-striker end, Chadwick Walton, stepped on his fingers while making way for the shot hit from the other end. The incident happened during the third and final T20I between the two sides played at Lauderhill, Florida, last Sunday (August 5).

According to the Dhaka Tribune, Islam, who was taken to hospital after the accident, will be off from action for at least two to three weeks before the medical team of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) can arrive at an assumption with regards to the recovery time. Medical reports said the left-arm bowler suffered lacerations on his hand.

X-rays confirm the status

“He has suffered the injury on his bowling hand. X-rays showed he does not have any fracture but lacerations in four areas. He was given almost 25 stitches which we will remove after two to three weeks. We will be able to estimate his recovery time only after the stitches are removed. Till then he will have to be in complete rest,” BCB physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury told the media last Tuesday, August 7.

Islam was considered a doubtful starter for the Asia Cup which will kick off next month with Bangladesh’s game against Sri Lanka. Things were also not rosy with Shakib, currently Bangladesh’s Test and T20I captain. Dr Chowdhury said that the all-rounder has a long-sustained dislocation on the little finger of his left hand and although he has no problem in playing, he is facing severe pain and has to take injections for temporary relief. Hasan suffered the injury during an ODI tri-series in January.

The 31-year-old player, one of the best Bangladesh has produced in the game, will require a minimum recovery period of two to three months if he undergoes a surgery.

“He has dislocation on his little left finger and it’s a problem for him while batting. He is not being able to give 100 percent due to the injury. We are to sit with the team management and Shakib when they come back (from USA). He will need a surgery to recover from this but that will put him in off for around two months,” Dr Chowdhury said.

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