The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman will miss the remainder of the Zimbabwe tour. Team physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan said that the left-arm pacer suffered a Grade 1 muscle tear in his right hamstring along with meniscal degeneration in his right knee.
Mustafizur missed the second ODI after picking up the injury in the opening match. He was also set to become the first Bangladesh cricketer to play in The Hundred after Birmingham Phoenix signed him for his base price of GBP 100,000. The tournament is scheduled to run from July 20 to August 20 in England.
Mustafizur Rahman Ruled Out of Zimbabwe Tour and Start of The Hundred
Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out of the remainder of Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe due to a hamstring injury. The left-arm pacer felt pain while bowling in the first ODI and left the field before completing his spell. He will also miss a significant part of the upcoming Hundred.
A scan conducted on July 7 confirmed a Grade 1 muscle tear in his right hamstring, along with minor meniscal degeneration in his right knee. Bangladesh team physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan said that Mustafizur Rahman is expected to need at least four weeks to recover. He said:
"Mustafizur Rahman complained of pain in his right hamstring while bowling during the opening ODI and left the field. We conducted a scan on July 7 and, according to the report, he sustained a Grade 1 muscle tear in his right hamstring. He also has a minor degenerative issue in the same knee, and we expect his recovery to take at least four weeks. Mustafizur will return home and begin his rehabilitation."
Bangladesh Focus on Mustafizur Rahman's Recovery Ahead of Australia Tests
Mustafizur Rahman bowled six overs for 19 runs in the opening ODI against Zimbabwe before leaving the field with the injury. He also batted at No. 10 during Bangladesh's unsuccessful chase. Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam replaced him in the playing XI for the second ODI.
The injury comes just months after Mustafizur recovered from a similar knee problem following the Pakistan Super League (PSL) earlier this year. That setback forced him to miss the first two ODIs against New Zealand before he returned with a five-wicket haul in the third match.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board had also withdrawn his no-objection certificate for the remainder of the PSL after that injury. The management is now focused on helping him recover in time for Bangladesh's two-Test series against Australia, which begins on August 13 as part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
Zimbabwe Seal ODI Series with Ben Curran's Unbeaten Century
Zimbabwe secured a 13-run win over Bangladesh in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Ben Curran starred with an unbeaten 111, becoming only the seventh Zimbabwe batter to carry his bat through all 50 overs as the hosts posted 247.
Brad Evans gave Zimbabwe a strong finish with an unbeaten 58 from No. 8, smashing five sixes during a 99-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Bangladesh responded well through half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy, reaching 169/3 before suffering a collapse.
The visitors lost their last seven wickets for just 65 runs and were bowled out for 234. Richard Ngarava led Zimbabwe's bowling attack with three wickets, while Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani picked up two wickets each to seal the series victory at the Harare Sports Club.
Also read: IPL matches in Australia? BCCI, Cricket Australia discuss landmark proposal
