Mushfiqur Rahim did damage to his hamstring during the first ODI against New Zealand © BCB
Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has been sidelined for two weeks due to an injury to his left hamstring. He will miss the remainder of the ODI series and the three T20s against New Zealand, and is a doubtful starter for the two Tests that follow as well.
Mushfiqur had pulled his hamstring while batting in the first ODI on Boxing Day, while diving to complete a single. He had later retired hurt on 42.
In his place, wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan will make his ODI debut in Nelson on Thursday. He was travelling alongside the ODI squad, as part of the extended preliminary squad that trained in Sydney earlier this month. The 23-year-old has played six T20s for Bangladesh, having made his debut in January this year.
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha said the Bangladesh set-up expects Mushfiqur to recover earlier than expected, which will allow him to play the Tests. He also said they have confidence in Hasan’s ability with the bat, expecting him to fit into the lower-middle order.
“At this stage Mushfiq is out for two weeks,” Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha said. “But he is recovering well. I saw him in the pool today. You know Mushfiq, he is very driven and thorough in his preparation. I am sure he will do the same thing with his injury. He will be ready sooner than we think.
“If Mushfiqur was here, we would have had more options in selection. [Hasan] is coming in, and he is capable as anyone with the bat. He hasn’t played much international cricket but we are confident he can do a job.”
Hasan will become only the 12th wicketkeeper to make his ODI debut for Bangladesh, and the fifth to replace Mushfiqur since his debut in 2006. The others were Dhiman Ghosh, Jahurul Islam, Anamul Haque and Liton Das.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo