BAN vs WI: Mushfiqur Rahim misses 1st Test, expected to be fit for 2nd match

Bangladesh wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim missed the ongoing first Test against West Indies at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka due to a finger injury. Mushfiqur got injured a day ahead of the first Test on Tuesday, while facing a net bowler.

The injury didn't appear serious, but after later assessments the team management decided not to risk the veteran batter. However, Bnagladesh’s team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan is expecting Mushfiqur to be fit for the second and final Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet, starting on November 5.

"Mushfiqur Rahim got hurt on his index finger during practice yesterday. He was under observation afterwards. But there wasn't sufficient improvement till this morning. It is a contusion injury. We are hopeful that he will recover in the next three days. He will be available for the next Test,” Khan said in a BCB statement.

Mushfiqur has had a largely injury-free career. He last missed a Test more than two years ago at home against Sri Lanka due to personal reasons. The game also marked the last time Bangladesh played a home Test without him. His last injury-related absence from a Test came in November 2024, during the tour of the West Indies.

Towhid Hridoy replaces Mushfiqur Rahim

Last year, Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladesh player to feature in 100 Tests. Since reaching the milestone, he has averaged over 40 across six matches. He scored a duck and 81 in Bangladesh’s last Test, against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh brought in Towhid Hridoy in Mushfiqur's place for the first Test against West Indies. Hridoy has so far played just one Test match, earlier this year in July against Zimbabwe in Harare in June and scored 12 runs across two innings.