2025, Vol. 12, Issue 4, Part B

Purpose: Cricket is the most widely followed team sport across the Commonwealth, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) boasting 105 member nations. However, there is a noticeable lack of published medical research focusing on cricket-related injuries in Bangladesh or the broader subcontinent. This study aims to identify the most common types of sports injuries experienced by cricket players in the region.
Methodology: This study used a quantitative research technique with a retrospective survey design. A total of 31 participants were selected through a simple random sampling technique. Data were obtained from records at the Bangladesh Tennis and Cricket Academy (BTCA), Rajshahi. The researcher utilized a structured questionnaire to extract relevant information directly from archived documents. Collected data were coded numerically and entered into Microsoft Excel, followed by analysis using SPSS version 16.0. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to interpret the findings.
Results: Out of the 31 injured cricketers surveyed, shoulder injuries were the most common, reported by 8 players (22.58%). This was followed by spine, back, and trunk injuries in 6 cases (19.35%), thigh and hip injuries in 5 players (16.13%), and knee and leg injuries in 3 cases (12.90%). Additionally, 3 players (9.68%) experienced hand and finger injuries, 3 (9.68%) sustained ankle injuries, 2 (6.35%) reported foot injuries, and 1 player (3.22%) had a head or neck injury. Regarding gender distribution, 28 participants (90.3%) were male, while 3 (9.7%) were female. The highest injury incidence was observed among cricketers aged 18-20 years, accounting for 13 cases (35.2%), with a mean participant age of 19 years. Bowlers were the most affected group, representing 13 injury cases (35.2%).
Among the 31 injured cricketers, 9 individuals (29%) suffered direct injuries, while the majority, 22 players (71%), experienced indirect or overuse injuries. The most frequently reported conditions included rotator cuff injuries (N=3; 12.9%), hamstring strains (N=3; 9.7%), and back pain (N=6; 19.3%). In terms of treatment, 7 participants (22.6%) received medication only, 4 (12.9%) underwent physiotherapy alone, and 20 individuals (65.5%) received a combination of both. Improvement was noted in 4 cases (57.15%) treated with medication only, 3 cases (75%) receiving only physiotherapy, and 17 cases (85%) who received combined treatment.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that injuries to the shoulder, hip and thigh, knee and leg, as well as the back, are the most prevalent among cricket players across all playing roles. Indirect and overuse injuries were more commonly reported than direct injuries. Overall, bowlers appeared to be the most injury-prone group among the participants.