Mushfiqur taken for X-Ray

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim was taken for an X-Ray on his right forearm after being hit by a ball during batting practice at the Coopers Associate County Ground in Taunton yesterday.

The Tigers’ senior middle order batsman immediately took off his right glove after being hit by a bouncer delivered by Mustafizur Rahman and was looking at his right forearm as he walked off. He was treated in the dressing room by physio Thihan Chandramohan.

The incident took place at the beginning of Bangladesh’s practice session. Mushfiqur went for the X-Ray after practice in the late afternoon, which indicates that the situation was not too serious as if it had been, he would have gone for the scan immediately.

During his press conference about half an hour later, batsman Tamim Iqbal joking also hinted that the injury may not be too serious.

“Out for three weeks, right?” joked Tamim with a mischievous glance towards the media manager, knowing well that such a revelation would have reporters on tenterhooks. “No, I know that he was hurt, but I don’t know the exact situation now. It didn’t look to me to be very serious. But normally, as far as I know, it is hard to say right now. You can only say after a bit of time has passed. You get to know more after 12 or 13 hours. I hope he’s fine.”

There was better news surrounding Shakib Al Hasan, who sustained a left thigh strain during the match against England on June 8. Having rested since then, Shakib was an active part of practice yesterday and seemed unhampered by the strain as he fielded, bowled and batted for extended periods.

NET BOWLER INJURED TOO

Soon after Mushfiqur’s injury, practice stalled for about 15 minutes as a net bowler sustained a painful blow to the back of the head from a Mohammad Saifuddin shot in the adjoining net. Teenager Ranel lay on the ground for about five minutes as the ground medical staff attended to him. It was just the third ball he bowled. Fortunately, he was soon up on his feet and after being seen by a doctor, it was revealed that the young pacer was going to be okay and can bowl today if he wants. It remains to be seen whether he wants to.