Bangladesh’s preparations for their vital encounter with South Africa in the ongoing ICC World Cup have taken a significant hit as their star fast bowler, Taskin Ahmed, has been sidelined due to a persistent shoulder injury. This injury had also kept him out of the recent match against India, and unfortunately, he has not fully recovered in time for the match against South Africa.
Captain Shakib Al Hasan confirmed the setback, stating, “Taskin is not playing in tomorrow’s match. He can play after this match; he has some problems with his shoulder, which have been bothering him in the last two matches. As a precaution, the team’s doctor and physiotherapist have advised him to rest for two days. We are hopeful that he will be back for the remaining four matches, as he is a crucial player for us. Losing him in the middle of the tournament is something we want to avoid at all costs.”
Taskin had initially suffered the shoulder injury during Bangladesh’s tour of South Africa in 2022, but the team management chose not to pursue surgery at that time, with their focus on the 2022 T20 World Cup. His discomfort became apparent during the game against England, where he even expressed his concerns to head coach Chandika Hathurusingha. Despite trying various exercises to alleviate the discomfort, Taskin struggled to make an impact in the subsequent match against New Zealand.
In the lead-up to the South Africa clash, Taskin was unable to bowl a single delivery during the training session, instead spending the entire day working on rehabilitation exercises with physio Bayzidul Islam.
In addition to Taskin’s absence, the Bangladesh team is closely monitoring the condition of ODI skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who missed the game against India due to a quad tear. Shakib has been involved in batting sessions, and there are hopes that he might return to bowling in this important fixture.
The final decision on Shakib’s involvement in the South Africa match will depend on his performance during practice, including a few deliveries and a running session. Bangladesh faces a challenging situation as they look to regroup and tackle the Proteas without one of their key bowling assets in Taskin Ahmed.
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Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
