Dressed in a black T-shirt and a black trouser, Tamim Iqbal waved his hand at the media personnel waiting at the Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport. Bangladesh's ODI skipper returned home on Monday after completing his back treatment in England, where he had taken multiple injections in order to get immediate remedy for his damaged disc that forced him out of the lone Test against Afghanistan.
Ahead of the ODI series Tamim claimed that he was ready to play without being a hundred percent fit but eventually his honest admission didn't go well with the BCB high-ups and later a point came when he decided to retire on an impulse even though that lasted for only 29 hours after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intervened to coerce him to change his mind.
Tamim opted to go for injections to heal the damaged disc between L4 and L5 to make him available for the upcoming international assignments but there is still uncertainty if he would be available immediately for the upcoming Asia Cup
Normally, after such treatment, one can play without any problem for the next three to four months. Tamim also chose a similar treatment option during the last Bangladesh Premier League and played after taking injections. However, if the process fails and the pain returns before the Asia Cup, he may have to take further injections and that might put his participation in the tournament under serious doubt.
It is understood that Tamim will now rest up completely for seven days to see where he stands following the injection and if he feels alright, he will start his rehabilitation programme slowly following the week-long rest.
"If there is no pain, he should be able to start the rehabilitation after one week and he will increase the intensity of his workload slowly. He will understand where he (Tamim) stands when he gets closer to the high-intensity workload and see whether that pain is coming back or not," said a BCB official aware of his development.
Bangladesh team management is eagerly waiting to see their ODI skipper returns to business as quickly as possible considering he is expected to lead the side in the upcoming Asia Cup, subject to his fitness. "Look we still have concern over his availability due to the stature of his injury that is recurring in the recent past," said a member of the selection panel. "All we can do is hope for the best," he added.
Tamim is expected to sit with the BCB high-ups to determine his future course of action but if insiders are to be believed it is too early to ascertain his availability for Asia Cup given the nature of his recurring injury.
