Taskin Ahmed set to return for T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh's pace spearhead, Taskin Ahmed, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation in the USA, is expected to be fit in time for the team's T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Sri Lanka on June 8. Bangladesh Cricket Board's chief physician, Debashish Chowdhury, confirmed the positive outlook on Taskin's recovery from a displaced rib fracture on the right side.
Taskin was included in Bangladesh's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup despite his injury, and recent MRI scan results have shown promising signs of healing. According to Debashish Chowdhury, the pacer's rehabilitation is progressing well, and he is currently involved in gym training and running sessions.
"Taskin's improvement is very good and satisfying. He is going through a rehabilitation process and undergoing gym training. He is doing running sessions and we will introduce bowling later," Chowdhury told Cricbuzz.
Chowdhury detailed the next steps in Taskin's recovery, highlighting that he will soon start bowling with a short run-up before gradually increasing the intensity. "We just got the reports (of the MRI scan) and talked to the doctor, and it seemed the fracture is almost healed. Now we will slowly introduce him to short run-up bowling and later increase the intensity. He is not having any problem with running, and we will be doing throwing sessions in the coming days before starting to bowl with short run-ups. We are hopeful he will be available from the opening game of the World Cup if he continues to progress in this manner," he added.
Taskin, 29, is currently with the team in the USA for a three-match T20I series, where Bangladesh has already lost the first two games. He last played in the first four T20Is against Zimbabwe, where he took eight wickets and was named Player of the Series.
To ensure adequate cover, Bangladesh has added pacer Hasan Mahmud as a traveling reserve for Taskin. Before their World Cup campaign begins, Bangladesh will play two warm-up fixtures: against the USA on May 28 and against India on June 1.
With Taskin Ahmed's recovery on track, Bangladesh fans and team management will be hoping for his crucial contributions in their World Cup campaign, starting with their opener against Sri Lanka.
(With inputs from IANS)