- Nasima Akter
Bangladesh Pacer Hasan Mahmud Positive for Dengue
Bangladesh's national team pacer, Hasan Mahmud, has unfortunately tested positive for dengue, adding to the growing number of cases in the country. The young cricketer had been suffering from a fever for about 5-6 days before he finally decided to get medical attention. Although he initially recovered from the fever, he was still feeling physically weak.
Worried about his health, Hasan underwent a blood test on Sunday night, and the results confirmed his dengue infection the following day. Doctors observed that the platelet level in his blood cells was lower than normal, indicating the severity of the disease. He was scheduled to have another blood test on Tuesday, but his condition showed some improvement, and he opted to wait a bit longer before taking the test. As of now, he is receiving treatment at home and is under the watchful eye of medical professionals.
Sources from the medical wing have confirmed the diagnosis, assuring that Mahmud is being monitored closely and receiving appropriate care. It was disclosed that Hasan's platelets had been declining for three days before he sought medical help. Thankfully, his condition stabilized, and he began to feel better on Tuesday, raising hopes for a speedy recovery.
Hasan Mahmud's cricketing journey has been remarkable. He debuted in first-class cricket for Chittagong Division in the 2017-18 National Cricket League on 13th October 2017. Subsequently, on 5th February 2018, he made his List A debut, playing for Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity in the 2017-18 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. His exceptional performance earned him a place in Bangladesh's ODI squad for their home series against Ireland in March 2023. During the third ODI on 23rd March 2023, he achieved a significant milestone by taking his first-ever five-wicket haul in international cricket.
Despite his recent health setback, Hasan Mahmud's commitment for the sport remains firm, and he is determined to overcome this challenging phase. His teammates, fans, and the cricketing fraternity are sending their well-wishes and prayers for his swift recovery.
On a broader scale, Bangladesh is confronting a dengue outbreak of alarming proportions this year. As of August 1, the country has reported more than 54,000 cases of the mosquito-borne disease, and the death toll has surpassed 260. Health authorities are working tirelessly to control the outbreak, conducting awareness campaigns, and implementing measures to reduce the mosquito population.
As the dengue outbreak continues to spread in Bangladesh, the authorities are taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of the national cricket team. With the Asia Cup and World Cup approaching, the team is set to start their training camp from 8th August in Mirpur, Dhaka. To mitigate the risk of further infections, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has initiated routine medical checkups for all cricketers.
On Monday, 20 cricketers underwent medical screenings, and on Tuesday, 12 more players arrived in Mirpur to go through the tests. This proactive approach will help identify any potential cases early and prevent the virus from spreading within the team. After the medical assessments, the cricketers will also undergo fitness tests on 3rd August to ensure they are in the best shape for the upcoming tournaments.
