Chief selector confident opener will make the World Cup
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal underwent a successful surgery on his left knee in Australia on Monday, giving himself a chance to represent the country in the forthcoming World Cup.
Renowned orthopedic surgeon David Young conducted the operation at Avenue Hospital in Melbourne in the evening to bring an end to all the speculations regarding the status of injury.
Tamim will be able to return to training in two to three weeks time, said BCB’s senior physician Debashis Chowdhury, who has been in constant contact with Young.
It means the opener will get at least three weeks to train before Bangladesh play their first World Cup game against Afghanistan at Canberra on February 18.
‘Young is confident that Tamim will be able to return to cricket training in 2/3 weeks following his rehab which will begin immediately,’ said a BCB statement following the surgery.
‘The BCB medical team will decide on the management plan for the player in consultation with Young after evaluating the complete report on the surgery,’ added the statement.
Chief selector Faruk Ahmed said that he is relieved to have his experienced opener being operated at the earliest as it increased the chance of his playing in the World Cup.
‘I am confident about Young’s ability and would like to believe that he will not fail in Tamim’s case,’ said Faruk.
‘Tamim is a very crucial player and he [Young] knows that as well.
‘So he would not have taken the chance of operating unless he thought the player will recover in time to make it to the World Cup.
‘But more than anything, it will help Tamim to overcome his mental blockage about the injury,’ he added.
Tamim suffered the injury during his Dhaka Premier League game for Legends of Rupganj against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club when he played a match-winning knock of 73 runs.
A recent scan report has identified a grade one meniscus tear on Tamim’s left knee.
The BCB was left dithering over sending him to Australia with the World Cup barely a month away. However, it was finally decided to send him to Young, who had earlier successfully conducted several operations on the knee of paceman Mashrafee bin Murtaza.
So, the BCB left it on Young to decide the best possible management of his injury.
Tamim hoped to return to net in two-week time.
‘By the Grace of Almighty Allah my surgery was successful and will be in net within two weeks InshaAllah…Thank u all for your love and support!’ Tamim said in a Facebook post.
The opener also posted a photo in his official Facebook page.
-With New Age input
