In a big setback for Bangladesh, star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out for four weeks with a grade 1 hamstring injury and a knee problem. Because of the injury, he will miss the rest of Bangladesh’s ongoing tour of Zimbabwe. Notably, Mustafizur complained of pain while bowling in the first ODI of the series against Zimbabwe on July 6. Undergoing scans the following day, the true extent of his injury was revealed.
Mustafizur ruled out with injury, Taskin Ahmed named replacement
He was replaced by Shoriful Islam in the second ODI of the series.
“Mustafizur Rahman complained of pain in his right hamstring while bowling during the opening ODI and left the field. We conducted a scan on July 7 and, according to the report, he sustained a Grade 1 muscle tear in his right hamstring,” Bangladesh team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“He also has a minor degenerative issue in the same knee, and we expect his recovery to take at least four weeks. Mustafizur will return home and begin his rehabilitation,” he added.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also confirmed that Taskin Ahmed will replace Mustafizur Rahman in Bangladesh’s T20I squad for the remaining matches against Zimbabwe. Speaking of the schedule, with two ODIs already played, Bangladesh will be taking on Zimbabwe next in the third ODI of the series. The two sides will meet at the Harare Sports Club on July 11, and without the services of Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh will hope to do well. It is worth noting that Zimbabwe has already clinched the ODI series, having defeated Bangladesh across the first two ODIs of the series, and while the hosts will be going for a clean sweep, Bangladesh will be looking to avoid a clean sweep and will aim to improve in their upcoming game.
After the three-match ODI series, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will face each other in a three-match T20I series. Taskin Ahmed will replace Mustafizur Rahman in Bangladesh’s squad for those matches.