Saba Karim's treatment will be for ten days

Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim, who suffered a rather serious retina injury in India's opening match against Bangladesh on Tuesday will have to undergo treatment at the Sankara Nethralaya eye clinic in Chennai for ten days.

Karim flew from Dhaka to Calcutta and then came to Chennai on Wednesday night. Dr Lingam Gopal, who attended on him, told reporters on Thursday that no emergency surgery was required and he will recover in ten days time. ``If we can discharge him earlier, we will be happy'' he said. The injury had led to compression of the retina but Dr Gopal said the damage is not expected to be permanent.

Speaking about the incident, Karim, 32, described it as a freak mishap. ``The ball hit the batsman's pad and reared up. Before I could take evasive action, it landed on my eye.'' Answering a question he said he never felt the need to wear a helmet. ``But I hope to be back in action soon. I want to get back to my regimen,'' he said, though it was obvious he was in some discomfort.

Regarding his treatment, Karim said he had come to the right place since ``Shankara Netralaya is known for its expertise in the field of vision.'' He thanked his teammates, the team management, the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The BCCI incidentally will bear all the expenses of Karim's surgery.