Ahead of the 2019 World Cup, Bangladesh has received a scare as left-arm speedster Mustafizur Rahman was advised a couple of weeks rest on Thursday owing to an ankle injury. He sustained the injury last evening and was subsequently advised rest as per reports in the Cricbuzz. Bangladesh has already been pegged by injury issues ahead of the Ireland tour. Some of the main players in the team are currently undergoing a rehabilitation process to recover in time for the World Cup.
The injury list of Bangladesh already consists of players like Rubel Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mehdi Hassan and Saifuddin. Mustafizur’s injury will keep Bangladesh worried as he is one of the main bowlers who can make an impression for Bangladesh in the World Cup. Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) chief physician Debashish Chowdhury revealed that he has advised Mustafizur a couple of weeks rest after seeing the X-ray report.
“Mustafizur injured his left ankle yesterday and after going through his x-ray report we suggested him to take rest for two weeks,” BCB’s chief physician Debashish Chowdhury told reporters at Mirpur on Thursday. Though there is no fracture, he had sustained an ankle sprain and as a result, he will have to rest for at least two weeks to recover,” he said. “In the meantime, we will be changing the tape on his leg.”
The left-arm pacer was part of the Dhaka Premier League as he returned to the tournament after 4 years. He bagged 3 wickets in just 6.5 overs for Shine Pukur to give glimpses of his form. However, his injury ruled him out of the rest of the tournament and his fitness continue to give a headache to the Bangladesh team management.
Bangladesh decided to take a precautionary measure and decided against fielding him in the first Test of the three-match Test series against New Zealand. Though Mustafizur played in the 2nd Test, he managed to bowl just 14 overs all through the match. Bangladesh head coach had insisted that Mustafizur should remain fresh for the 2019 World Cup which is slated to be played in England and Wales from 30th May.
As a result of the injury, the Cutter specialist won’t be available from the start of Bangladesh’s preparatory camp for the Ireland tour. The series against Ireland is slated to start from 22nd April. “Naturally, he will be in rehabilitation when the preparation camp starts but we are expecting him to start his skill training once the rehabilitation is completed,” Debashish Chowdhury further added.