In a positive update for Bangladesh, injured ODI captain Litton Das’s scan reports showed no major issues in his hip-joint.
Confirming the development to Cricbuzz on Monday (October 19), an official from the Bangladesh Cricket Board medical department said they will have further clarity on his status in a couple of days.
Litton was ruled out of the ongoing tri-nation ODI series also involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe due to discomfort in his hip-joint. He met BCB physicians and went through a light physiotherapy session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.
“Yes, Litton came today to meet us,” a member of the BCB medical committee said. “There was nothing significantly bad in his scan report, but there is a slight muscle issue”.
“We saw it [scan report] and did a light physiotherapy today. Tomorrow we will also do a light physiotherapy session, and after two days we will be able to say where he stands, as far as his injury is concerned,” he said.
“We are hopeful that he will be available for the Test series against West Indies but we cannot say anything firmly before seeing his progress for a couple of days. But there is nothing at the moment as far as his hip-joint is concerned,” he added.
Nayeem to undergo fitness test
Meanwhile, BCB officials said that Bangladesh off-spinner Nayeem Hasan will have to undergo a fitness test on Thursday (October 22) for his hamstring issue.
He is currently on the mend following a hamstring injury sustained during the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. The BCB’s medical department is moving quickly to manage the injury and schedule a formal fitness assessment on Thursday.
Nayeem suffered the injury while fielding in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. His foot got caught on the heavy outfield while diving to save boundary off Taijul Islam’s bowling.
The strain in the right hamstring forced him to play with strapping through the fourth and fifth days of the Test. While he managed to complete the game without a significant issue, the subsequent fitness assessment revealed a degree of weakness in the muscle.
Medical staff warned that any high-speed running with a sharp braking action carried a risk of a more serious tear, and the spinner was consequently placed on a structured rehabilitation programme, rather than risking a premature return.
As a result, he was asked not to take part in the ongoing round of the National Cricket League, Bangladesh’s premium first-class tournament, which is seen as a preparation ground for Test contenders.
“The scan didn’t find anything majorly bad. It’s not a major injury like that. He will undergo a formal fitness Test on October 22,” said the official.
Nayeem, who resumed bowling on Monday, told Cricbuzz he is not feeling any discomfort ahead of the fitness test.
“I started bowling today and didn’t feel any discomfort, now looking forward to the scheduled fitness to get clearance from the medical team,” said the off-spinner.
The West Indies national cricket team arrived in Dhaka on Sunday (October 18) ahead of the two-match Test series.
The visitors are scheduled to start their preparation at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from Tuesday (October 20). They are set to play a two-day warm-up match against BCB XI from October 22 at Basundhara.
Part of the ICC World Test Championship, the first Test will begin in Dhaka on October 28 while the second Test is scheduled to start in Sylhet from November 5.
Bangladesh will look to strengthen their position in the WTC standings through the series: they are currently fourth on the table with 40 points from six Tests, having won three, lost two and drawn one, with a points percentage of 55.56.
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