Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who has been in rehab following an injury, sets his target to return to competitive cricket from the third phase of National Cricket League (NCL), country’s traditional first-class tournament.

Taskin was seen bowling in the nets against Tamim Iqbal at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

As per his rehabilitation programme the pace bowler is expected to do running session today while bowl six overs on the following days.

“It (bowling followed by running the other day) is going in this manner for the time being,” Taskin said here yesterday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium after completing his bowling practice.

“I am eyeing to return to competitive cricket in the third round of NCL and the rest depends on the will of the Almighty because I have seen that I had been troubled often when everything was going smoothly in my life,” he said.

Taskin injured himself in the nets at Dhaka while honing his bowling skills when Bangladesh was playing against Afghanistan in the one-off Test series at Chittagong.

The right-arm pace bowler sustained pain on his left side and later it was revealed that he sustained grade one tear that eventually ruled him out from the opening two rounds of NCL.

According to the bowler, the rehabilitation program is designed by BCB new physiotherapist Julian Calefato and he insisted that unless he regains his fitness fully it would be unwise for him to return to competitive cricket.

Taskin replaced Saifuddin in the Bangladesh team during their last tour of Sri Lanka this year but did not feature in any of the three one-day internationals after failing to prove his worth in the practice game in the island.

Injury had been a major concern for the pacer as he was not picked for the World Cup after failing to recover in time.

Meanwhile, the second round of the 21st National Cricket League (NCL) kicks off today with four matches at different venues across the country.

In two matches of Tier-1, Dhaka Division will take on Rangpur at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram while Khulna Division will battle against Rajshahi Division at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna.

In two games of Tier-2, Barishal lock horns with Chattogram at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah and Dhaka Metro will face of Sylhet  at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.