Mustafizur unlikely to play first ODI against Zimbabwe

Publish: 9:22 PM, July 15, 2021 | Update: 9:22 PM, July 15, 2021

DHAKA, —Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is unlikely to play the first ODI against Zimbabwe tomorrow as he sustained an ankle injury during the practice game.

In the one-day practice game yesterday (Wednesday), Mustafizur was able to bowl five balls before he suffered the injury. He was immediately taken off from the ground as his situation did not look so good.

The physio however advised to observe his condition for the coming two days.

ODI captain Tamim Iqbal nonetheless said Mustafizur’s possibility to play the first game is fifty-fifty.

“Physio has been in touch with him. The probability of getting Mustafizur in the first match is fifty-fifty. We will get a clear picture of his condition tonight. At this moment his chance is fifty-fifty,” Tamim disclosed today.

But Tamim is not worried about whether Bangladesh will get the service of Mustafizur Rahman in the first game. While Mushfiqur has already returned to Bangladesh due to being with his ailing parents, Tamim himself is not fit 100 percent as he is playing with a knee injury.

“It’s not that we always can play with our full strength teams. And we have to accept the situation. Look at Mushfiqur’s situation, or Mustafizur’s injury … These are out of control. That is why 16-17 people were kept in the squad. Everyone in the squad is qualified,” Tamim said.