Alis Al Islam back in action

In the 2019 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Alis Al Islam created headlines when he took a hattrick in his debut with the Dhaka Dynamites. 

But after his whirlwind start in last season's BPL, the offspinner has been away from the radar. 

This season's Bangabandhu BPL once again brought his name into everyone's attention and it was on January 4 2020 - 351 days later - that he played professional cricket again. 

His team this time around is Khulna Tigers, and although he didn't get many opportunities in the first few games, captain Mushfiqur Rahim turned to Alis in the last match.

He took one wicket in his four overs conceding 27 runs in the match Khulna lost by six wickets.

But what kept him out of action for so long? Alis finally opened up to the media and spoke about a knee injury which kept him out.

There was also talk about his bowling action being illegal and Rangpur Riders even sent a written complaint about it to the BPL committee.

Due to his knee injury, he wasn't able to give his bowling action test within the 14-day timeframe according to the rules. 

He had to get his knee operated in June at India and after proper rehabilitation and recovery, he was back in training.

After two months of training and working on his action, he was able to give the bowling action test on 15 October 2019 and get clearance to bowl.  

Although it was nothing spectacular, his bowling in the last match was economical. 

Alis began his cricketing journey in Kathal Bagan's Green Crescent Club and after that joined Old DOHS to begin his first-class career. 

After that, he was slingshotted into the Dhaka Dynamites team once he impressed as a net bowler for the Dhaka franchise in the 2019 season.

Coach Khaled Mahmud Sujan saw his bowling and really liked what he saw.  

With him now back in action, one would hope that the 23-year-old can take his career further forward now.