In a major blow to the Bangladesh Test team, their veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has been ruled out of the upcoming 2-Test series against Sri Lanka. The series gets underway on March 22 with the first Test at Sylhet. Mushfiqur’s absence means the home team would have a gaping hole in their middle order.
The 36-year-old batsman has suffered a fracture on his right thumb. The cause of this injury was a delivery during the third and final ODI against the Lankan team in the recently-concluded three-match series. Mushfiqur was hit on the thumb but managed to continue his knock and see his team through to a series win.
Mushfiqur Rahim’s injury
The right-hander scored an unbeaten 37 off 36 balls with the help of 3 fours and 1 six. Bangladesh won the match by four wickets with 9.4 overs remaining. It was after the match that the extent of Mushfiqur Rahim’s injury came to light.
In a statement to the press, Bangladesh team’s physio Bayjedul Islam Khan described the situation.
“After the match, Mushfiqur underwent an X-ray examination in Dhaka, which revealed an avulsion fracture on the MIP joint of his right thumb,” he said. “He is currently undergoing conservative management for his injury and is expected to be sidelined for around three to four weeks, consequently ruling him out of participation in the Test series against Sri Lanka.”
Bangladesh’s challenge against Sri Lanka
Bangladesh would go into the series against Sri Lanka with high hopes. The hosts have found more success against the Lankan side compared to other established nations in Test cricket.
The team for the 2-Test series will be devoid of Mushfiqur Rahim’s presence but it has some other notable names. Najmul Hussain Shanto will lead the team, having had a good ODI series where he scored a hundred. He would be aided by the presence of Litton Kumar Das who makes a comeback into the Test team.
The other key batsman is Mominul Haque. The former captain and a veteran of 59 Tests will have to step up with his efforts in the absence of Mushfiqur. He might just hold the key for Bangladesh’s batting in the series.
In the bowling department, Mehidy Hasan Miraj and Taijul Islam will lead the spin attack. The pace bowling line-up of Bangladesh looks a bit inexperienced.