Mustafizur joins Bangladesh injury list

DHAKA: An ankle injury to Mustafizur Rahman added to Bangladesh’s injury concerns ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019.

Mustafizur, the young pace bowler, hurt his left ankle at training recently. According to local media reports, he could be sidelined for two weeks and while he is expected to be named in the squad for the World Cup, he could miss the initial stages of a pre-tournament training camp.

“There is no fracture-related injury [but] there is some pain in the ligament, a lateral ankle sprain," Bangladesh Cricket Board chief physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury was quoted as saying in the Daily Star.

"He had suffered this kind of sprain before but predictions regarding these injuries are difficult.

"He will rest partially with little exercise in between and his condition will be reassessed two weeks from now."

Bangladesh already have a long list of injury concerns and the latest will come as an added worry before they pick their squad for the World Cup, the deadline for which is April 23.

Among the batsmen, Mushfiqur Rahim, who suffered a broken rib-cage in the Asia Cup also had to deal with finger injury during the recent tour of New Zealand. While his finger is healed, the rib still needs rest, reports suggested.

Mahmudullah, meanwhile, aggravated a shoulder injury while diving on the field in New Zealand. He has reportedly started batting at the nets again after rehabilitation.

Rubel Hossain suffered a side strain during a domestic game and is resting, while Taskin Ahmed, his fellow pacer,is striving to be fully fit after time on the sidelines for an ankle injury. As for Mohammad Saifuddin, he has concerns with his elbow, but is continuing to play domestic cricket.