“Three out five we have today are injured – Fizz, Rubel, and Saifuddin -- who have the tennis elbow. We need to get them back into bowling, within the right frame of mind, and be sharp enough to do a bit of bowling in Ireland and be ready for the World Cup,” Courtney said while conducting the first practice camp of the Bangladesh squad for the World Cup.
Mustafizur, the left-arm pacer, has been suffering from an ankle injury what he sustained during a game in the Dhaka League on April 11. The chief physician of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has said he needs to take rest for two weeks. However, Mustafizur has already started practice.
The southpaw is considered the biggest weapon of the Tigers in the World Cup, according to Walsh. At the same time, he said, Bangladesh do not rely on a single player.
“He has got a big role to play in the World Cup, once he is fit. But, I don’t think we rely on any one player. Shakib, Mash and Rubel have been consistent. Fizz hasn’t been as sharp since his injury, and he keeps picking up slight niggles. A fully fit Mustafizur can win games for you but we have to have him as fit as possible,” Walsh further said.
“We have a bit of time on our side. My concern is that I hope we don’t over-rush him, and probably use him too much in Ireland, and he is not fresh for the World Cup,” the said.
While Mustafizur has injury at his ankle, Ruble has been nursing a side strain which suffered during a game for Abahani Limited in the Dhaka League as well. Due to that blow, he was out of action since March 25. On the other hand, Saifuddin is suffering from tennis elbow which needs much time to heal.
On the first day of practice camp, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Tamim Iqbal were present along with Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman. Most of the other national cricketers are busy playing in the Dhaka League which is set to end on April 23.