Pacer Shafiul looks upbeat to regain full fitness

Pace bowler Shafiul Islam said he is finding it difficult to keep up pace with the others after he joined the conditioning camp this week from the sickbed.

The pace spearhead underwent a surgery on his left ankle on June 4 to remove callosity, a disease that grows a layer in the affected area. He had developed it over the last few months with his landing at the crease in his follow-through.

He went to his home town in Bogra to spend time with his family as he was in complete rest as per the instructions of the doctor to give time to heal his wound. He joined the camp on Tuesday only to discover that his team-mates were way ahead of him in terms of fitness.

‘I am having difficulty in keeping up the rhythm with the others,’ Shafiul told reporters on Thursday.

‘My body is taking its toll to match them as they are well ahead as far as fitness is concerned,’ said Shafiul.

‘I know I have to take extra load to cover it up and emulate them as they have raised their fitness level after completing a fitness cycle in Dhaka and at the BKSP,’ said Shafiul.

Shafiul said the recovery rate of his injury was quite satisfactory as he is feeling no pain at the moment. He hoped to regain his full rhythm soon.

‘I am feeling much better now as there is no pain and I am having no problem in running. I hope to reach the peak quickly,’ said Shafiul.

Team trainer Grant Luden was happy with the way Shafiul responded after joining the team three weeks later. He insisted that Shafiul needs to take it slowly as he has just comeng from an injury.

‘He is doing really well. He has been away for three weeks so obviously he is going to take it slowly,’ Luden told reporters.

‘Still we are going to push him and I am sure he will be back soon as he is young and always keen to learn,’ he said.

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