Blow for Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim ruled out of Test series vs West Indies

Veteran Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, starting on November 22. Mushfiqur Rahim is expected to be available for selection for the following ODI series in early December, according to a Cricbuzz report.

Mushfiqur sustained a fracture on the tip of his left index finger while keeping wickets during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Sharjah. He wil be unavailable for the remaining two ODIs games. Notably, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led team suffered a 92-run loss in the opening game against Afghanistan.

Mushfiqur Rahim Ruled Out of the Upcoming Two-Match Test Series

According to the report, Mushfiqur Rahim will need four to six weeks to recover from his finger injury, ruling him out of the Test series against the West Indies. A national selector said that his participation in the ODI series will depend on his recovery progress.

"He (Mushfiqur) is not playing the Test series against West Indies as it will take at least a month or more to recover. As for the ODIs, we will have time in our hand to make a call on that after seeing his progress," said the selector in the report.

Bangladesh star could be available for three ODIs against the West Indies. Mushfiqur Rahim, who retired from T20Is, is expected to join for the ODIs depending on his recovery. The right-handed batter has scored 375 runs in six Test matches in the West Indies, at a decent average of 34.09.

Litton Das Will Not Join Bangladesh Squad for Ongoing Afghanistan ODI Series

Bangladesh has not yet named a replacement for Rahim. Zakir Hasan and Jaker Ali can keep wicket, but there have been rumors that Litton Das might join the squad for the ongoing series. However, the selector said that Litton is in Dubai for personal reasons and will rejoin the team for the West Indies tour.

"He is going there for a personal reason and will be travelling with the squad when they depart for West Indies," said the official adding that he is yet to recover fully from the fever.

Mushfiqur Rahim Managed to Score Just One Run in First ODI vs Afghanistan

Bangladesh reduced Afghanistan to 71/5 during the series opener at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, November 6. However, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi added a 104-run partnership to help Afghanistan reach a competitive total of 235 runs in 49.4 overs in the first innings.

In response, Bangladesh suffered a major collapse from 132/3 to 143 all out. Spinner Allah Ghazanfar was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan in the match, taking six wickets for just 26 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim managed to score just one run before being stumped off Allah Ghazanfar's bowling.

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