|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed was cleared of the shoulder injury concern by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) physio Bayjedul Islam Khan, stating that he can 'manage' the injury and return to the longer format of cricket.

Taskin had shoulder injury issues in red-ball cricket and decided to skip Tests early this year, he last played a Test match in June last year, though he continued in other formats including the T20 World Cup.

The cricketers in the Test squad were scheduled for a physical assessment test today at the Bangabandhu National Stadium under their strength and conditioning coach Nathan Kiely, before moving to the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur for a gym session and other fitness tests.

However, the scheduled programs were cancelled due to bad weather and unrest and cricketers only completed gym sessions and other fitness tests in Mirpur.

Following the fitness tests, BCB physio Bayjedul mentioned that Taskin can 'survive' and continue playing with the type of injury he has now.

"Taskin has played in the T20 format as of late. So, he did not bowl for long spells during this period. He had a shoulder issue, which he even got rechecked during the T20 World Cup [in the USA and the West Indies in June]. The thing is, the damage he had at that time, is exactly the same now as it has not aggravated," said Bayjedul.

"A player can play by managing these [types of injuries]. If he continues his rehabilitation and the workouts, Taskin can survive. Based on that, Taskin is definitely available. But as for bowling workload in Tests where you need to bowl longer spells, a player needs to get up to that speed. So, he will try to do that, and if he feels better then he can definitely play in Tests," he added.

The first Test in Rawalpindi will take place on August 21-25, while Karachi will host the second Test on August 30-September 3.

The series will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.