Bangladesh's young pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin said that he is gearing up for a return to action through the upcoming West Indies series after recovering from a ligament injury. The 24-year-old however remained aware of the stiff competition in the pace bowling department.

Injuries had been a regular feature in Saifuddin's fledgling career, and the latest setback was a ligament injury. Before that, the 24-year-old suffered an ankle injury ahead of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup while training, but managed to make a comeback in the middle of the tournament for Minister Rajshahi.

Saifuddin admitted that he was worried about making a comeback from the ligament injury before the West Indies series.

"I was worried about whether I will be able to recover before the [West Indies] series. But Bayezid bhai [Bayzedul Islam, BCB's physiotherapist] helped me a lot and our trainer also helped me to recover fast. I worked according to their instruction and tried heart and soul during rehab," said Saifuddin after today's training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. 

Saifuddin features in the 24-member preliminary ODI squad for the West Indies alongside six other pacers including Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Al Amin Hossain, Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud -- all of whom impressed in the latest Bangabandhu T20 Cup and the BCB President's Cup before that. 

Saifuddin was aware of the tough competition but remained hopeful of making it into the finalised ODI squad for the upcoming series.

"Last three days we had high-intensity training that included all three departments -- batting, bowling and fielding. The pacers did really well in the last Bangabandhu T20 Cup and the President's Cup and as a result, now there is a good competition among pacers to get a nod in the best XI for the West Indies series. And hence, I am trying my best and working hard," said Saifuddin. 

Bangladesh are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series and a two-match Test series against the West Indies. The three-match ODI series will begin from January 20 and the first of the two Tests will be played on February 3.