Saifuddin eager to be back in action

Within two years of his debut in international cricket, Mohammad Saifuddin was close to becoming an integral part of Bangladesh’s limited-overs set-up.

But an old injury resurfaced and forced him to skip the just-concluded Sri Lanka series. Now, the all-rounder is working hard to get back.

Saifuddin did well in the World Cup where he bowled well and showed what he is capable of doing as a batsman. But injury turned out to be his biggest adversary.

“It’s really tough to stay out of action. But there’s nothing to do with the injury. I’ve to wait more and try hard to get back,” Saifuddin told UNB on Friday.

He batted five times in the World Cup and returned 87 runs with a hard-fought fifty against India. While scoring 51 off 38 with nine fours, he gave India a real scare as Bangladesh needed only 28.

Saifuddin was better with the ball as he picked 13 wickets. Since Tigers’ captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza had been going through the toughest time of his career during the World Cup, Saifuddin’s bowling performance came as a relief for the team management.

The 22-year-old all-rounder missed the match against Australia due to back pain. Some media reports claimed that he skipped the match intentionally to keep himself away from the challenge of Australian batsmen. However, Saifuddin denied the reports and played the remaining matches of the World Cup.

“As a national cricketer, I shouldn’t keep myself away from taking new challenges. What the media said about my injury wasn’t true. I’ll really be glad if you ask me or any member of the team management before writing news,” Saifuddin had told the media before the clash against Afghanistan in the World Cup.

Saifuddin is now just thinking about returning to action. “Currently, I’m going through the rehabilitation process. I don't know when I’ll be able to bowl again. This’s really a tough time for me,” he told UNB.