DHAKA, Nov 23, 2023 (BSS) - Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed was given a rest for four weeks to recover from his recurring shoulder injury which further flared up during the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Due to the shoulder problem, he missed two matches against India and South Africa and also was not at his best throughout the tournament though there were high hopes on him to carry Bangladesh's pace bowling department.

The period of Taskin's recuperation started following Bangladesh's last World Cup match against Australia in Pune.
The fast bowler in fact has been suffering from this shoulder injury during Bangladesh tour of South Africa last year.

"Taskin, in fact, constantly feeling shoulder pain since the last year. So, there should be proper solution and therefore we want to bring him under a long rehabilitation programme. As a result, he won't be able to bowl for a long time," BCB's chief physician Dr. Debashish Chowdhury told the media today.

Taskin, however, has been playing through the injury since last year. He, in fact, had to take pain killers to reduce the pain. Though surgery was an option, the pace bowler won't go for it, considering there is no guarantee of success.

According to Taskin, he found benefit in conservative treatment in such cases.

The problem is that he though could bowl, his pace, which was his strong zone, declined significantly. It was considered as the reason for his dismal performance in the World Cup.

"Taskin is able to bowl. He can continue to bowl if he can take pain killers, but the problem is that his pace was decreased significantly and we know that his pace his biggest strength. So, we want a long-term rehabilitation process so that he can return with full fitness," Dr. Chowdhury added.

"He needs to stop bowling for four weeks completely. After four weeks, we will assess him and take the next decision. We want him to back with full fitness and we'll allow whatever the time is necessary."

If Taskin's rehab takes more time, it is certain that he would miss the Bangladesh tour of New Zealand where they will play three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals from December 10-31.

Taskin was earlier ruled out of the two-match Test series against the same opponent at home.