New Delhi, 22 February (HS): After losing against India in the first match of the Champions Trophy, Bangladesh is hopeful of the availability of senior batsman Mahmudullah before the do-or-die match against New Zealand. Bangladesh needs to win the match to be held in Rawalpindi on 24 February to make it to the semi-finals.

Mahmudullah, who scored four half-centuries in his last four ODIs, suffered a calf muscle strain during training before the match against India, which disrupted the Bangladesh team combination for the match and his absence was felt in the match. In the first hour of the match against India, Bangladesh lost 5 wickets for only 35 runs, after which, thanks to Tauhid Hridoy's century and Jaker Ali's half-century, Bangladesh's team was able to reach a respectable score of 228 runs.

Meanwhile, New Zealand are brimming with confidence after defeating Pakistan by 60 runs in the opening match of the tournament in Karachi on February 19. The Black Caps are also buoyed by their victory in the tri-series in Pakistan, where they won all the matches against the hosts. In such a scenario, Bangladesh know that the task at hand is huge and it would be good for them to have a player of Mahmudullah's experience to prepare for this encounter.

We are hopeful about his (Mahmudullah's) availability (for the remainder of the tournament). He is recovering well but a final decision in this regard can be taken only after the last practice session before our game against New Zealand in Rawalpindi, team manager Rabid Imam told Cricbuzz on Saturday.

After the injury, we got a scan done and no major injury was found. It is a good sign and he will play whenever he feels comfortable, he added.

The official said that Towhid Hridoy, who suffered cramps while scoring his maiden ODI century, is fine and added that he has no issues as far as his fitness is concerned. Bangladesh have reached Pakistan and are scheduled to have their first practice session today (February 22). As far as Mahmudullah's recovery is concerned, the team management will be keenly watching it.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar