MATARA, Saturday, 02 March 2013

TEAM UPDATE: Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal speaking on his wrist injury and plans for the Test series after practice at the Matara Sports Club today -

Injury situation

Today I batted against proper spinners. There is some  pain still. The kind of injury I am carrying it takes time to heal. If I play in the first Test I may have to endure some discomfort but it is looking better. I will probably not play in the practice match starting tomorrow as the team management feels it may be too early for me to get into a game. I will continue my recovery programme in the mean time. I'll play some medium pacers tomorrow and then maybe quicker bowlers. The physio will try different types of taping in the injured area and we'll see which one makes me most comfortable.

Whether he is prepared to play through the pain

I definitely want to play. The team wants me to play. We are working towards that goal. Unless the injury gets more serious and I see that there is little improvement I am looking forward to appearing in the first Test. Our physio is confident and so am I.

Expectations from the tour

From a personal point of view I want to improve my record here. I have not had a good run in Sri Lanka in the past and that's why it is important for me to do well here.

We have set high standards at home as a team. We have been doing pretty well lately. It is therefore a challenge for us to show that we can be successful away from home also against a good team. We have a strong squad and everyone has worked really hard. It is going to be a good match-up.   

NOTE: Tomorrow's three-day match between Bnagladesh and Sri Lanka Emerging Team starts at 10am local time (10:30 BST). The teams will decide on the possibility of playing additional players in this match tomorrow morning.