Cricket

Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh's veteran wicketkeeper-batter, has been ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against Afghanistan due to a fractured left index finger. The injury occurred during the first ODI in Abu Dhabi, where Bangladesh suffered a 92-run defeat.According to team physio Delowar Hossain, Mushfiqur sustained the injury while keeping wickets towards the end of Afghanistan's innings. An X-ray confirmed a fracture near the DIP joint. He is currently undergoing conservative management and will not be available for the second and third ODIs.The injury is a significant blow to Bangladesh, who are already without Litton Das due to fever. Jaker Ali is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties in Mushfiqur's absence.Mushfiqur's injury also raises concerns about his availability for Bangladesh's upcoming tour of the West Indies, which includes two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. He retired from T20Is in 2022, but his finger injury could impact his participation in the longer formats.Bangladesh are scheduled to fly to the Caribbean after the Afghanistan ODIs conclude on November 11. They will play a tour game in Coolidge on November 15 before the first Test begins in North Sound on November 22. The squad for the West Indies tour has not yet been announced.Mushfiqur's absence will be a major loss for Bangladesh, who will be looking to bounce back from their defeat in the first ODI. The second and third ODIs will be crucial for Bangladesh to level the series and gain momentum ahead of the West Indies tour.

Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik has shed light on the struggles faced by Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, revealing that he is battling discomfort in his spinning finger and shoulder. This revelation comes after Shakib's underwhelming performance in the ongoing Test match against India, where he conceded 64 runs in just seven overs.Kartik, who is currently involved in broadcasting duties for the match, stated that Shakib has undergone finger surgery on his bowling finger. The injury has caused swelling and rigidity, affecting his grip and feel for the ball. Additionally, Shakib is also experiencing shoulder issues, further hindering his bowling ability."He has had a finger surgery on his bowling finger, which is the point of his finger of his left hand. It is swollen, it is rigid, there is no movement, no suppleness to it. So he feels he is not getting any feeling out of it. As a spinner, you need the feeling," Kartik explained.Shakib's finger injury dates back to the 50-over World Cup last year, where he sustained a left index finger injury against Sri Lanka. This injury kept him out of action for several months. He also faced an eye problem that delayed his return to the Bangladesh team.Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal expressed concern over Shakib's injuries, stating that if he is playing despite these issues, Bangladesh is effectively playing with one bowler short. He questioned whether the team management was aware of Shakib's injuries.However, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief physician Dr. Debashish denied any knowledge of Shakib experiencing discomfort due to an injury. He acknowledged that Shakib had a fractured finger from the World Cup but stated that he had not recently complained about any finger or shoulder injuries.Despite the BCB's denial, Kartik's revelation raises questions about Shakib's fitness and the team's decision to field him in the Test match. With Bangladesh struggling to contain India's batting lineup, Shakib's absence as a frontline bowler could prove costly.

Ravi Bopara, a seasoned English cricketer, has been ruled out of the T20 Blast's knockout stages due to a finger injury sustained while playing in the Cayman Islands. Bopara, known for his prolific run-scoring and all-round abilities, is a significant loss for Northamptonshire, who have reached the quarter-finals for only the second time since their 2016 title triumph.Bopara, who joined Northamptonshire on a T20-only contract earlier this year, made a significant impact in the group stages. He was the team's second-highest run-scorer and third-highest wicket-taker, helping them finish second in the North Group and secure a home quarter-final. However, his participation in the knockout stages has been cut short by the unfortunate injury.According to a club statement, Bopara "ruptured the tendon in a finger on his right hand while attempting a caught-and-bowled" during a match for Miami Lions in the Max60 tournament in the Cayman Islands. He underwent surgery but will require three weeks of recovery time, ruling him out of the crucial quarter-final against Somerset on September 5.Northamptonshire has also been dealt another blow with the news that 19-year-old seamer Raphy Weatherall has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a lower-back stress fracture. Weatherall had taken 11 wickets in the group stages, showcasing his potential as a promising young fast bowler.Furthermore, Northamptonshire will be without Sikandar Raza for the quarter-finals and are awaiting confirmation from Cricket South Africa regarding the availability of Matthew Breetzke. However, they have received a boost with the return of Australian allrounder Ashton Agar, who has been cleared to play.Bopara's absence is a major setback for Northamptonshire, who will be looking to make a deep run in the T20 Blast. His experience and leadership will be sorely missed, and the team will need to find a way to compensate for his contributions.

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup hopes hang in the balance as they anxiously await news on the severity of Shoriful Islam's finger injury. The left-arm pacer sustained a nasty split between his index and middle finger during Bangladesh's warm-up match against India in New York.During the final over of India's innings, Shoriful attempted to field a drive from Hardik Pandya but was struck on the hand. He immediately collapsed in agony and was rushed off the field by the Bangladesh team physio.Initial medical examination revealed that Shoriful required six stitches to close the wound. BCB's chief physician, Dr. Debashis Chowdhury, stated that the extent of the injury and Shoriful's recovery time will be determined after a follow-up visit in two days."Shoriful suffered a split injury between the index and middle finger of his left hand while trying to stop a ball in his last over," Chowdhury explained. "After initial medical attention, he was taken to Nassau University Medical Centre. The hand surgeon administered six stitches. We will visit him again after two days. We will know then how much time it will take for Shoriful to return."Shoriful's injury is a major setback for Bangladesh, who are already without frontline pacer Taskin Ahmed due to a side strain. If Shoriful is ruled out of the opening match against Sri Lanka on June 7, Bangladesh will be severely depleted in the pace department.The 21-year-old Shoriful has been one of Bangladesh's most promising young bowlers in recent times. He impressed in the recent series against South Africa, taking 5 wickets in 3 matches. His absence would be a significant blow to Bangladesh's chances of making an impact in the T20 World Cup.Bangladesh will now head to Texas for their opening game against Sri Lanka. They will have six days to assess Shoriful's recovery and make a decision on his availability. The team will be hoping for a positive update on his condition, as his presence would be crucial to their hopes of a successful tournament.