Long Net Session Behind Him, Liton Das Still Faces Fitness Test Hurdle; Chances Remain Fifty-Fifty

Liton Das batted for a long time in the nets at the academy ground. For the batter suffering from a hip joint injury, that is news worth being hopeful about — although it is not yet possible to be optimistic.

His chances of playing in the series against the West Indies, starting on October 28, still remain fifty-fifty.

Liton is currently having no apparent problem with either batting or fielding in practice; but a fitness test is required before he can be declared match-fit. That is where the problem lies for Liton.

A source said that if a fitness test is held, it will be a 'high intensity test'. Such a test is risky for anyone who is injured or recovering from injury, because if the injury has not fully healed, this kind of fitness test can aggravate the problem.

The BCB's medical department has therefore asked the team management whether Liton's fitness test will be taken before the first Test, or whether he will prepare to play the Test relying on the process he is currently following. As of yesterday, the team management had not informed the medical department of any decision on this.

On Liton's chances of playing the first Test, chief selector Habibul Bashar said: 'His chances were fifty-fifty before, and they still are.' He added, however, that they will wait for Liton until the last moment.

If Liton cannot play the first Test, the wait will then turn to the second Test, scheduled to start on November 5 in Sylhet.