Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I tour of Pakistan starting on 28 May after sustaining a thumb fracture during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC).
While playing for DC against PBKS on 24 May, the bowler attempted a caught and bowled off Josh Inglis, only to end up hurting his left hand. Before that, Rahman was the best bowler for the Capitals on the night, with figures of 3/33 in four overs.
As per Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) physio Delowar Hossain, the clip fracture injury on his left thumb will require ‘two to three weeks’ to heal, ruling Mustafizur out of the series.
“This injury requires a period of rest and rehabilitation… We will conduct a follow-up evaluation after two weeks to monitor his recovery progress,” Hossain said, as per ESPNcricinfo.
As a replacement, BCB has called up right-arm pacer Khaled Ahmed to the squad. The 32-year-old has had an impressive 2024-25 season, claiming 77 wickets across formats at an average of 21.74, including 20 wickets at 21.55 in the recent Bangladesh Premier League.
However, he is yet to make his T20I debut for the Bengal Tigers, and has 16 Test matches and two ODIs under his belt.
Bangladesh Vs Pakistan T20I Series: Third Change For Bengal Tigers
Bangladesh has been rocked by a number of withdrawals before the T20I series. Young bowler Nahid Rana withdrew for ‘personal reasons’, which BCB official Nazmul Abedeen Fahim said was most likely linked with his negative experience leaving Pakistan after the cross-border hostilities with India.
Meanwhile, batter Soumya Sarkar has been sidelined with a back injury, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz being drafted as a replacement.
The new-look Bangladesh squad will kick off the series against Pakistan on 28 May, with all three matches to be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium under lights.
