![Mustafizur Rahman ruled out of BAN Vs NZ 1st ODI [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1776403866128_MustafizurRahmaninjury.jpg?type=hq)
Mustafizur Rahman ruled out of BAN Vs NZ 1st ODI [Source: AFP]
In a significant development, experienced fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out of the first ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand due to injury.
Mustafizur, who was representing Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 2026, had joined the Bangladesh team after the BCB selection committee included him in the ODI squad for the first two matches of the home series against New Zealand.
Although Mustafizur was poised to enter the Bangladesh playing XI vs New Zealand, an unfortunate injury sidelined him from the first ODI of the series.
Why is Mustafizur Rahman not playing BAN vs NZ 1st ODI?
Mustafizur Rahman was initially added to the Bangladesh playing XI for the first ODI against New Zealand at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. However, he picked up a last-minute injury, resulting in a forced change in the Tigers' XI for the series opener.
As revealed by Bangladesh team operations manager Nafees Iqbal, Mustafizur Rahman has been sidelined from the first ODI against New Zealand due to knee injury. He disclosed that the left-arm pacer felt slight discomfort in his right knee during the pre-match warmup drill.
Therefore, the Bangladesh think tank had to amend the team sheet, leading to a toss delay in the high-profile contest. Shoriful Islam entered the Bangladesh team sheet as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman.
Mustafizur Rahman's tryst with injuries
Despite being a gifted fast bowler, Mustafizur Rahman's cricket career has been halted by injury setbacks over the years. He had a six-month layoff due to a shoulder injury back in 2016 before sustaining a nasty ankle sprain the very next year.
The seasoned campaigner sustained a foot injury during the IPL 2018, eventually missing the T20I series against Afghanistan. He also suffered a left thumb clip fracture during the IPL 2025 and was ruled out of the subsequent T20I series against Pakistan.
Is Mustafizur Rahman's PSL 2026 campaign in jeopardy?
After the conclusion of the ODI series against New Zealand, Mustafizur is set to travel to Pakistan for the remainder of the PSL 2026.
The Bangladeshi pacer was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders at a whopping price of INR 9.20 crore. However, he couldn't feature in the competition, as the BCCI terminated his IPL contract amid Bangladesh's strained political relations with India.
He was signed by PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars after an infamous IPL contract snub. The fast bowler played five matches for the defending champions, scalping six wickets at a superb economy of 7.18.
Although he was supposed to join the Lahore Qalandars' PSL 2026 squad after playing in the New Zealand ODIs, the untimely knee injury has definitely put his participation in doubt. The BCB has yet to release an official statement on the severity of his injury.
However, considering his career has frequently been plagued by injury setbacks, it won't be surprising if the knee injury keeps Mustafizur out of action for a significant period.
Bangladesh playing XI for 1st ODI vs New Zealand - Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana
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