Mustafiz in doubt for upcoming series
Bangladesh fast-bowler Mustafizur Rahman is doubtful for the Tigers’ upcoming series against West Indies. Although he will not miss the entire series, the 22-year-old is likely to miss the first Test against the Caribbean side.
Mustafiz is recovering from a hairline fracture on his left toe, which had previously ruled him out of the T20I series against Afghanistan last week. His absence in the pace unit made the team suffer and eventually get whitewashed against the Afghans.
The left-handed paceman suffered a toe injury while trying to stop a ball during an IPL encounter for the Mumbai Indians last month. He was expected to be sidelined for three weeks and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Mustafiz is likely to return to action next week and Bangladesh’s medical team has advised keeping the pacer out of the team ahead of their first Test against West Indies.
Bangladesh will fly out to the Caribbean on June 23. The first Test of the two-match series will commence from July 4. The Test series will be followed by two limited-overs series where the Tigers will take on the Windies team in three ODIs and as many T20Is.
A squad for the first Test will be announced tomorrow (June 11). BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin has confirmed that Mustafiz will be kept out of the squad.
“He hasn’t recovered from the injury, what would he do in the team! He will be considered for a spot in the team once he gets fully fit,” he said.
The upcoming bilateral series will be Steve Rhodes’ first assignment as the head coach of the Bangladesh national team. He was appointed to the role on June 7 to succeed Chandika Hathurusingha.
