WI vs BAN | Taskin, Shoriful Islam aim to return for West Indies T20Is

The two key pacers of the Bangladesh national team, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam missed the away Test series against West Indies due to their respective injury concerns. However, they are expected to be match-fit ahead of the T20I series scheduled to start from the first week of July. 

On June 11 (Saturday), Shoriful started his net practice sessions at BCB indoor premises. 

The 21-year-old sustained an ankle injury during the South Africa tour and returned in a red-ball match against Sri Lanka in May. However, he was ruled out of the 2nd Test due to a hand injury. Nevertheless, he has been included in the ODI and T20I squad to face West Indies. 

After completing his practice session on the first day, Shoriful reckoned that he bowled with 60-70% intensity and aimed at bowling at his full tempo in a few weeks' time. 

"Today, I started my bowling and bowled six overs at sixty to seventy percent intensity," Shoriful told Cricbuzz after completing his first day in the nets following the injury.

"Hopefully, in one week or so, I will be able to bowl at full rhythm," Shoriful added. 

Taskin had a shoulder injury and visited the United Kingdom to receive treatment. He last donned the Tigers jersey in a Test fixture on a Tour to South Africa in the first week of April. 

The 27-year-old returned as the highest wicket-taker in the ODI format of the same series picking eight wickets in three appearances. He was included in the ODI squad for the Caribbean Tour. 

Taskin started his preparation on June 1 and reckoned that he is not feeling pain and is hoping to get match-fit and rhythm ahead of the T20I series against West Indies.

"I am bowling four overs one day and eight overs the alternate day and following the instruction of the physio to get prepared for the white-ball series," said Taskin. I am not feeling any pain at the moment and looking to regain my full rhythm before the tour of the West Indies," he said. 

According to the BCB chief selector, if Taskin attains fitness, the fast bowler can make his way into the T20I team. 

"While announcing the squad, we mentioned that Taskin's inclusion in the T20s is subject to fitness, and if he is fit so naturally, he will be included in the T20s as well," BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin told Cricbuzz.

The three-match T20I series will take place on July 2, 3, and 7, before the ODI matches are played from July 10 to 16. Dominica and Guyana will be the venues for the white-ball leg.