Sharjah: The renowned Bangladeshi cricketer, Mushfiqur Rahim, will be unable to participate in the remainder of the ODI series against Afghanistan following an injury sustained during the opening match.
Bangladesh suffered a significant defeat of 92 runs in the first ODI, unable to match Afghanistan's score of 235. Prior to the commencement of the second ODI, it was announced that team physiotherapist Delowar Hossain had diagnosed Mushfiqur with a fractured left index finger during Afghanistan's batting session.
"During Afghanistan's batting session, Mushfiqur sustained an injury to the tip of his left index finger while performing his wicketkeeping duties," Delowar Hossain stated in a statement issued by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
"An X-ray conducted after the match confirmed the fracture of his left index finger near the DIP joint. He is currently receiving conservative treatment and will not be able to participate in the second and third ODI matches," Hossain further explained.
It is worth noting that Mushfiqur had also suffered a fractured thumb, which led to his withdrawal from the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in March.
With Bangladesh trailing by one run in the three-match series, a replacement has not yet been designated for the experienced wicketkeeper. Given that Litton Das is sidelined due to illness, Jaker Ali is expected to assume the role of the wicketkeeper.
The recent injury of Mushfiqur has cast a shadow over his availability for Bangladesh's forthcoming series. Following the conclusion of the Afghanistan series, Bangladesh will embark on a tour of the West Indies, which includes a multi-format series scheduled for later this month.
This multi-format tour, which will feature two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is, is set to begin later this month. With Mushfiqur's retirement from T20I cricket in 2022, his participation in the Test and ODI series remains uncertain.
Upon the completion of the ongoing series on November 11, Bangladesh will proceed to the Caribbean for the first Test match, which is scheduled to start on November 22 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The squads for the multi-format tour have not yet been announced.
Before commencing the challenging tour, Bangladesh aims to level the series in the second ODI, which is scheduled for Saturday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
