Tanzim Sakib nears full intensity return, targets April comeback

Pace-bowling allrounder Tanzim Hasan Sakib said on Saturday he is close to bowling at full intensity and is targeting a return from a back injury.

The youngster, an important member of Bangladesh's white-ball set-up, has been included in the preparation camp for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. He missed the ODI series against Pakistan due to a back injury sustained ahead of the Bangladesh Cricket League.

Tanzim recently completed his rehabilitation under the team's physiotherapists and coaching staff.

"You can say the rehabilitation is over, though it was quite boring," Tanzim told Cricbuzz while entering the BCB Academy premises to bowl in the nets.

"I am now bowling at 70 to 80 percent intensity and hope that within the next four sessions I will be able to bowl at 100 percent," he said.

"If everything goes right, I should be back to full intensity from the start of next month (April 2026)."

New Zealand arrive on April 13 for a white-ball tour of three ODIs and three T20Is. The first two ODIs will be at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on April 17 and 20 before the teams travel to Chattogram for the third match on April 23. The T20Is will be held in Chattogram on April 27 and 29, with the final game in Dhaka on May 2.

Bangladesh began their preparations for the series at Sher-e-Bangla from March 27.

Six players are missing the camp due to Pakistan Super League commitments: Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon (Lahore Qalandars), Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan Tamim (Peshawar Zalmi), and Rishad Hossain (Peshawar Zalmi).

The BCB has issued partial NOCs to ensure most players are available for the ODI series against New Zealand, with Bangladesh still in contention for qualification for next year's ICC ODI World Cup.

Bangladesh moved up to ninth in the ICC ODI rankings after their 2-1 series win over Pakistan. A 3-0 sweep against New Zealand would help close the gap with eighth-placed England, who are nine rating points ahead.

Mustafizur has been granted an NOC from March 26 to April 12, and again from April 24 to May 3, making him available for the ODIs but not the T20Is. Tanzid, Shoriful, Rana and Rishad have NOCs until April 12, available for both formats. Parvez Hossain has clearance until April 21 and is part of the T20I set-up only.