|| CF Correspondent ||

Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes said on Tuesday that he is hopeful that injured Mohammad Mithun will be fit to play ahead of the three-match Test series opener against New Zealand.

However, Rhodes disclosed they are not sure about the availability of Mushfiqur Rahim, who is all set to be ruled out in the opening Test due to his wrist injury.

Already stuttered by injuries to Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh are now sweating over Mushfiqur Rahim's fitness ahead of the three-Test series against New Zealand. Mushfiqur's rib injury resurfaced during the second ODI, making him doubtful for the third ODI, in which he went on to feature despite scans revealing a broken rib.

Mushfiqur also sustained two more injuries during the ongoing tour: a side strain and a wrist injury, and it's the latter that's concerning and the team management is unsure of where his recovery stands.

Mithun, who had suffered a hamstring injury during the second ODI at Christchurch, will miss the third ODI in Dunedin. Mushfiqur Rahim also saw his old injuries flare up but is expected to make the playing eleven tomorrow against hosts New Zealand.

Mithun has been Bangladesh’s most successful batsman in this series, hitting two back-to-back fifties in the two ODIs.

His injury is another blow to the Tigers since the right-hander showed the most consistency in this series, pulling the team towards recovery following slumps in both ODIs.