Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Cricket Operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees has rejected suggestions that Nahid Rana’s injury was the result of excessive workload, saying the pacer’s bowling load was monitored scientifically throughout the Zimbabwe tour.
Speaking to reporters in Mirpur on Saturday, Nafees said Nahid and fellow fast bowler Taskin Ahmed had completed medical assessments, including scans, in Australia. However, the BCB is still awaiting the official reports from the medical team.
“They have completed all their assessments, including scans and consultations with specialists. Our physiotherapist Bayezid travelled with them. We are now waiting for the official medical reports after the scans are fully reviewed,” Nafees said.
Addressing questions over Nahid’s workload before the Australia series, Nafees said the 23-year-old had not been overused.
“Many have questioned why Nahid played against Zimbabwe. But if you look at the schedule, he played the last T20I on July 19 and then had an 18-day gap before the first ODI. He bowled 10 overs in the first ODI, another 10 in the second, and four overs in the T20I. After bowling around 24 to 25 overs across those three matches, he suffered a side strain,” he said.
Nafees stressed that the BCB tracks players’ workload using Catapult GPS technology rather than relying on manual estimates.
“We manage our players’ workload scientifically through Catapult GPS technology. The data showed Nahid’s workload remained within a moderate range and well below the level that would be considered excessive. He was never overbowled,” he said.
He added that injuries can occur because of both excessive and insufficient workload, and cautioned against linking Nahid’s injury solely to his participation in the Zimbabwe series.
“Some people believe he would not have been injured had he skipped the Zimbabwe series. But the same injury could just as easily have happened during a net session in Australia. It was unfortunate, but it was not caused by excessive workload,” Nafees said.
