All-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin is eyeing to make a return to international cricket during Bangladesh’s forthcoming limited-over series against Zimbabwe next month, report agencies.
“After a long time, I bowled in full rhythm. I was worried about line-length and accuracy but everything was good,” Saifuddin told reporters in Mirpur. “I still have one week. The BCB physios told me to play the third roundBCL match. I hope Iwill be able to increase the fitness and skill in next one week,” he said
“It depends on the selectors or team management. I heard that I have been given medical clearance. If the selectors think about my selection, I can say that I am ready,” he added. Saifuddin has been out of all forms of cricket since September last year after he aggravated a back injury which side-lined him for four months. He missed Bangladesh’s following Twenty20 international series against India after multiple scans confirmed the persistent injury would take more time to heal.
The 23-year old then could not to take part in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League as well as Bangladesh’s three-match Twenty20 international series against Pakistan last month after he failed to fully recover from the injury.
On Tuesday, Saifuddin bowled in full run-up for the first time in four months and claimed that the physios gave him green signal to play the third round match of Bangladesh Cricket League, scheduled on February 14-17.
High Performance team coach Champaka Ramanayeke was impressed with Saifuddin’s recovery and hoped that he would be available for Zimbabwe series.
“Yeah I have been working with him for last few days…He is gradually building up the clock for the Zimbabwe tour. And probably he will play in one of the four teams in BCL. That’s what I am preparing him for. I am very happy at the moment as he has not got any problem,” said Ramanayeke.
“He knows what he is doing. He is a very clever cricketer. And he loves to bowl at the end so he is working on his yorkers,” he added.