Pace-bowling allrounder Tanzim Hasan Sakib said on Saturday that he is not far from bowling at full intensity and is targeting a return following his back injury.

The youngster, considered an important member of Bangladesh's white-ball set-up, has been included in the preparation camp for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. He had missed the three-match ODI series against Pakistan due to a back injury sustained ahead of the Bangladesh Cricket League one-day competition.

Tanzim recently completed his rehabilitation under the supervision of the team's physiotherapists and coaching staff.

"You can say the rehabilitation is over, though it was quite boring," Tanzim told Cricbuzz while entering the BCB Academy premises on Saturday to bowl a few overs in the nets.

"I am now bowling at 70 to 80 percent intensity and hope that within the next four sessions I will be able to bowl at 100 percent," he said.

"If everything goes right, I should be back to full intensity from the start of next month (April 2026)," he added.

New Zealand are scheduled to arrive on April 13 for a white-ball tour comprising three ODIs and three T20Is. The first two ODIs will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on April 17 and 20 before the teams travel to Chattogram for the third match on April 23 at the Bir Shreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium.

The first two T20Is will be held in Chattogram on April 27 and 29, while the final game will be played in Dhaka on May 2.

Bangladesh began their preparations for the series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from March 27.

Six players - Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon (Lahore Qalandars), Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan Tamim (Peshawar Zalmi), and Rishad Hossain (Peshawar Zalmi) - are missing the preparation camp as they are currently involved in the Pakistan Super League.

The BCB has issued partial NOCs to ensure the majority of players remain available for the ODI series against New Zealand, with Bangladesh still in contention for qualification for next year's ICC ODI World Cup.

Bangladesh moved up to ninth in the ICC ODI rankings following their 2-1 series win over Pakistan. While a 3-0 sweep against New Zealand would not improve their position, it would help close the gap with eighth-placed England, who are currently nine rating points ahead.

Mustafizur has been granted an NOC from March 26 to April 12, and again from April 24 to May 3. He will be available for the ODIs but will miss the T20Is. Tanzid, Shoriful, Rana and Rishad have been granted NOCs until April 12, making them available for both formats. Parvez Hossain, meanwhile, has clearance until April 21 and remains part of the T20I set-up only.