Bangladesh national team received a major lift with the news that their pace bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman is all but fit to return in their next World Twenty20 match against Australia on Monday.
The left-arm pacer bowled few overs in the nets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday when his other team members were taking rest in the hotel.Mustafiz is nursing a side strain that he sustained during the match against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup that later ruled him out from the tournament.
After their defeat against Pakistan, Tigers require some kind of momentum to push them against the likes of Australia followed by India, whom they are set to meet in the coming week.
The return of Mustafiz into action can be considered a major boost up for the team and Bangladesh badly need his service going by the reputation he had earned in his short career.
Bowling coach Heath Streak along with fielding coach Richard Halsall and physio Bayzidul Islam were busy with him during his individual training session at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Mustafiz looked quite jaded after bowling 24 deliveries and even had a discussion in between his session with Streak at the middle where his discomfort was exposed while trying out something in the single wicket.
Streak was seen giving him some tips trying to demonstrate the skills in a different way that he later tried with much more ease and comfort.
Streak added that he is happy with the progress of one of his major bowlers, who is yet to feature in the ICC World Twenty20.
‘We are trying to get him ready for the Australia match,’ said Streak.
‘We will take a decision on the day of the match. He is looking good at the moment and his progression is good but we can’t say anything until the day of the match.’
Though the bowling coach remained diplomatic with his chances in the next game team insiders said Mustafiz will return unless he faces any further injury or deteriorate his current fitness.
Streak said that they are aware that the prime job is to give the bowler his confidence back.
‘He is close to full pace,’ said Streak.
‘Obviously need to get him the confidence back as he is not bowling for three weeks so we know it is time to get his preparation ready just coming together,’ said the former Zimbabwean fast bowler.
-With New Age input
