Thumb injury casts doubt on Mushfiqur's participation for Christchurch Test

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, who was taken off the field after suffering a head blow during the opening Test against New Zealand, is doubtful for the final match against the Kane Williamson-led side due to a finger injury.

The 28-year-old batsman sustained a blow to the back of the head after being hit by a Tim Southee's bouncer while batting at 13 during Bangladesh's second innings, which ended at 160-9 leaving New Zealand a 217-run target to win.

Subsequently, Mushfiqur lay on the pitch for several minutes before being put on a stretcher in a neck brace and carried into the ambulance which drove him to nearby Wellington Hospital.

Although he was cleared of any serious injury after the incident, a new hairline crack in the thumb is set to delay his return to the Bangladesh squad.

Reflecting on Mushfiqur's injury, team physio Dean Conway admitted that the Bangladesh skipper would require some more time to recover from the finger injury.

"His finger injury is worse.The hairline crack that has been found is new. He will need to give more time for this injury," ESPNcricinfo quoted Conway as saying.

Conway further said that the local doctors in New Zealand have reportedly advised Mushfiqur not to take the field for at least a couple of weeks even though the neck scan revealed no damage.

"Doctors in New Zealand usually advise not playing for three to four weeks. In England they advise not taking the field for two to three weeks. In that regard, Mushfiqur may need three to four weeks to return," he said.

In case Mushfiqur misses the Christchurch Test to be held from Friday, wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan will step up and make his Test debut.

The first Test, which Kane Williamson's side went on to win by seven wickets, saw many short-pitched deliveries, with New Zealand batsman Mitchell Santner taking a fierce blow to the head from Taskin Ahmed in the first innings while Neil Wagner was hit thrice by Kamrul Islam.