Experienced left-arm spinner Taijul Islam is expected to recover from his finger injury and be available for selection for Bangladesh’s first match of the two-Test series against Australia in Darwin, beginning on August 13, said team physio Bayjedul Islam.

Taijul had hurt his left index finger while batting on the opening day of Bangladesh’s three-day tour match against a Cricket Australia XI in Darwin on Thursday.

As a precaution, Taijul did not bowl or field on the second day. His finger was also bandaged up and he was kept under observation on Friday. In his place, young pacer Mushfik Hasan bowled.

On Saturday, Bayjedul gave an optimistic update on his injury, marking significant improvement and expressing optimism about him being available for the opening Test.

“The pain stemming from the injury Taijul Islam had suffered while batting on the day before yesterday has reduced quite a bit. The swelling and pain, both have reduced,” he said in a video message sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) from Darwin on Saturday.

“There are five days to go before the main matches begin. We have four days in our hands. I’m expecting, inshallah, he will be totally available by this time,” he added.

This was a positive news for Bangladesh on the day they suffered a humiliating innings and 54-run defeat against a CA XI.