Recently recovered pace bowler Mashrafee bin Murtaza is eyeing to regain his full fitness through the ongoing fitness camp arranged by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for the 30-member preliminary squad ahead of the forthcoming series against New Zealand.
Mashrafee returned to full-fledged practice at the camp after completing his rehabilitation programme for an ankle injury that he sustained while playing for the Dhaka Gladiators during the final of the Bangladesh Premier League.
The injury that hardly looked serious at the beginning had taken its toll on the bowler forcing him to withdraw his name from the successive tours of the Tigers to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe respectively.
The team management can heave a sigh of relief as the Narail Express appeared confident of making another comeback as he began running after being relieved from the pain that troubled him for weeks.
‘I am running after three to four months and there is no pain at the moment,’ Mashrafee told reporters at Mirpur on Friday.
‘At the moment my fitness level is not good compared to the other cricketers. This camp had provided me with an opportunity to take my fitness level to a good stage,’ said Mashrafee.
Mashrafee welcomed the initiative of a lengthy fitness training camp by the BCB as he believes it will help them increase their fitness level required to compete at the highest level.
‘After some time we managed to find a substantial amount of time from our busy schedule to do this fitness training,’ said Mashrafee.
‘I am sure it will improve our fitness level even if it seems tiring but in the long run it will be beneficial for everyone.’
‘Though it looks like an experiment but I am sure those who are coordinating the programme can explain better about its benefits,’ added Mashrafee.
The former national skipper seemed to be enjoying the rigorous fitness sessions which are being supervised by the strength and conditioning coach, Staurt Karppinen.
‘I am enjoying as there are some drills that are very new to me such as the drop-jump,’ said Mashrafee.
Initially the camp was set up for a two-week period until June 30 before the cricketers join their respective clubs for the forthcoming Dhaka Premier League. Mashrafee, however, said that he expected it to continue even during the league.
-With New Age input
