Mushfiqur out with ankle strain

Mushfiqur Rahim is the latest to join a long list of injured national players as the wicketkeeper-batsman is likely to be out of action for a considerable period after suffering an ankle strain.

It was learned that Mushfiqur hurt his left ankle after a collision with North Zone teammate Nazmul Hossain Shanto while playing football during the warm up session on the fourth and final day of the Bangladesh Cricket League fourth-round game against Central Zone at the Shaheed Chandu stadium in Bogra on April 13.

"He has an ankle strain. Right now, he has to take rest," Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief physician Debashish Chowdhury told The Daily Star. "It has already been four days, we will assess the situation week by week. It may take time, but it is hard to say at the moment how long it will take.

The 30-year-old struck his first hundred in his hometown of Bogura in the match and will most certainly miss the fifth round of the BCL starting tomorrow against East Zone at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

This latest injury comes days after Chowdhury had warned the national cricketers to ease up on their football warm-up games as the high intensity could lead to injuries. He said this after all-rounder Nasir Hossain was laid low for six months with torn right knee ligaments.

It was learned that the Nasir, who has been in and out of the national team, injured himself while playing football after attending a friend's wedding in Sirajganj.