Dhaka — Chattogram Challengers all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad, currently out nursing a hamstring injury, is increasingly uncertain about making his comeback in the current Dhaka phase of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), or even the next one in Sylhet.
The Challengers will play their next game on December 31 against Cumilla Warriors. Challengers’ English coach Paul Nixon on Sunday said Riyad, one of Bangladesh cricket’s biggest stars who also captained the national side during its recent tour of India, is yet to recover from the hamstring injury that he sustained during the game against Dhaka Platoon on December 18 at Chattogram.
“I don’t think he will be able to take part in the next game as he has been suffering from a hamstring injury. In this sort of quick-going events, players have to play four games in five days which is really tough. At the same time, international cricketers play a lot of matches around the globe. So we have to respect that as well,” Paul told the media.
“We wish him a speedy recovery, and he will become available for selection again on January 7 or 8,” he further added. That would see Mahmudullah slated for a return when the league returns to Dhaka for a final phase before the playoffs.
Mahmudullah has played three games in BPL so far this season, crossing fifty with the bat once.
The Challengers are currently at the top of the points table with 12 points from eight games. Another win will ensure a playoff berth for the Challengers.UNB
