Insider information suggests that if surgery is deemed necessary, Ebadot could potentially miss the forthcoming ODI World Cup scheduled for October-November of this year. This reality underscores the significance of the ongoing medical evaluation.

“Ebadot has sustained a ligament injury in his left leg due to a sprain. Consequently, he will not be able to take part in the forthcoming Asia Cup. We have promptly forwarded this report to the team management,” explained Debashish.

Ebadot suffered the left leg injury during the second One Day International match against Afghanistan last month. This injury led to his subsequent exclusion from the T20I series against the same opponents. Since the initiation of the national team’s Asia Cup camp, Ebadot has been actively involved in rehabilitation efforts.

On Monday, the 29-year-old once again experienced discomfort in his left leg. While sources indicate that the BCB is not actively seeking a replacement for Ebadot, given the presence of four other pacers comprising the Tigers’ pace unit, there is consideration for introducing a fresh face to nurture and groom. In this context, the promising pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who made an impressive impact in the recently concluded Emerging Asia Cup, is under consideration as a potential inclusion.

Bangladesh’s fast bowler, Ebadot Hossain, will not be participating in the final one-day international and the upcoming Twenty20 international series against Afghanistan due to a knee injury.

Ebadot sustained the injury during Bangladesh’s 142-run defeat in the second match in Chittagong on Saturday. He had to leave the field and was unable to bat.

According to a statement from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the MRI scan indicates that the injury is not severe, and they anticipate his recovery within approximately two weeks. Ebadot will remain with the team to undergo rehabilitation.

Afghanistan’s victory in the second match made them only the second team to win an ODI series in Bangladesh in the past seven years, following the world champions England.

Bangladesh, who also lost the opening match by 17 runs, now faces the risk of a home whitewash, which has not occurred since their 0-3 defeat to Sri Lanka in 2014.

The ODI series will be followed by two T20 matches in Sylhet, scheduled for July 14 and 16. Afghanistan has also faced an injury setback, with pace bowler Naveen-ul-Haq being ruled out of the T20 series due to a knee injury. He has been replaced by Nijat Masood, who showcased an impressive performance during his Test debut in Bangladesh, taking 5/79 in his first innings.

Ebadot Hossain has become a shining example of how determination and hard work can propel a cricketer to greater heights on the global stage. At 29 years old, he has cemented his position as a vital member of Bangladesh’s pace-bowling unit, leaving a lasting impact during their historic Test victory against Afghanistan on a challenging Mirpur pitch. Ebadot, who hails from Sylhet, has earned his spot in the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming Afghanistan series. In an open and candid conversation with The Daily Star’s Mazhar Uddin, Ebadot shared his thoughts on his bowling, future plans, work ethic, and more. Here are a few excerpts:

How satisfied were you with your performance in the Test against Afghanistan?

Ebadot Hossain: The most important thing for us was the desire to win. We carried that hunger from the beginning. In the previous Test, we suffered a resounding defeat to Afghanistan, and being on the bench at that time left me feeling really disheartened. I was determined to make a significant contribution if given the opportunity to play, with the aim of securing a convincing victory. This mindset was shared by all my teammates. We were resolute in our determination to defeat them by a considerable margin.

On a personal note, my Test career didn’t have the best start initially. This has fueled my hunger to become a world-class bowler, motivating me to work even harder to reach that level. I am continuously striving to develop my skills and execute the team’s plans, but I believe I still have a long way to go.

How do you plan to transition your bowling rhythm from Tests to limited-overs formats?

I firmly believe that fitness plays a pivotal role when it comes to playing across different formats. Over the past two years, I have been consulting with our trainer. After Tamim (Iqbal) bhai brought me into the one-day side, I became determined to transform myself into an all-format bowler, both mentally and physically. I had the opportunity to play in the last T20 World Cup and have managed to claim seven wickets in four T20Is. In addition to my bowling, I have been working on my batting for the past two years under the guidance of Jamie Siddons and now Nick Pothas. I also understand the significance of excelling in fielding since there is no room to hide in limited-overs formats.

How important is it to have a strong bond among the fast bowlers on and off the field?

I must give credit to two individuals for fostering this bond. One is former Test captain Mominul Haque bhai, and the other is Ottis Gibson. The support and backing we received from Mominul bhai were truly remarkable. In my opinion, he is the best captain. He played a significant role in building a strong bond among the fast bowlers by taking us out for dinner and spending time to establish that rapport. Ottis Gibson played a similar role as well. They made us realize that when we genuinely wish the best for one another, we will celebrate each other’s successes and stand together during challenging times. We also strive to extend this camaraderie to younger bowlers like Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, and others. When Taskin gets hit for a boundary, I feel his pain. In fact, after he picked up the fifth wicket, I was the one who ran towards him and hugged him because I felt like I achieved that wicket too. This bond is what makes our bowling unit special.