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Mohammad IsamESPN
Mustafizur Rahman has been summoned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board after a toe injury forced his withdrawal from the India-bound squad for the three T20Is against Afghanistan in Dehradun.
Akram Khan, the BCB’s cricket operations chairman, expressed displeasure because Mustafizur didn’t communicate the extent of his injury after arriving after his stint with Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Mustafizur played the practice game in Mirpur on Saturday (May 26), and was given two days off to recuperate from his niggle which at the time was thought to be minor. On Monday, Mustafizur complained of pain with subsequent scans revealing a hairline fracture that could sideline him for upto four weeks.
“When he returned from India, he told the physio that he got hurt,” Akram said. “We also saw it on TV that he hurt his toe playing in his last game in the IPL, but he didn’t make it clear to the physio the gravity of the injury; how bad the pain was.
“He played the practice match, and then was given two days off because we thought it would help him recover. Then on the evening before the departure, he informed that he has severe pain, and then we had to do the scans which revealed a fracture.”
Akram, a former captain, felt the board should discuss how much leeway they should give to the senior players in overseas leagues. As such, the BCB has limited NOCs of their players to two per year.
“This sort of thing really hampers the morale of the team. He is an important player. I have now spoken to him in the presence of the BCB doctors and selectors,” Akram said. “I will report my findings to the board directors. We should discuss what to do with our players in these franchise leagues. I think it is time we get serious about it.”
The selectors will wait to arrive in Dehradun, which will be hosting internationals for the first time, before deciding if they need to pick a spinner or a fast bowler as Mustafizur’s replacement.
Bangladesh play a practice match on June 1 before the series opener on June 3. All three matches will be played at the same venue.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo