Mushfiqur Rahim, Imrul Kayes ruled out of 2nd Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand at Christchurch

Rahim's thumb injury is likely to keep him out of action for at least three weeks while Kayes has a grade-two thigh strain.

For Bangladesh, it has turned out to be a tough tour to New Zealand so far. They were blanked in the ODIs as well as T20Is. The results, though not going their way, did not actually show their competitiveness. Their players were good in patches but faltered when it came to going for the kill. Even in the first Test, Bangladesh posted 595 for 8, their second highest total in Tests. In spite of it, they ended on the losing side, thus creating a record for posting highest total in a losing cause in Tests. And now, as if the spate of losses was not enough, Bangladesh suffer from injuries to key players ahead of the second Test at Christchurch.

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and opener Imrul Kayes have been ruled out of the second Test that begins from Friday. According to the reports, the pair will need time to recover from injuries. Rahim’s thumb injury is likely to keep him out of action for at least three weeks while Kayes has a grade-two thigh strain. Rahim was also hit on helmet by a Tim Southee bouncer and was rushed to the hospital. However, there was nothing to worry as the tests suggested he was normal. In his absence, opening batsman Tamim Iqbal will be the stand-in captain for the second Test.

The Christchurch Test will be first instance of Rahim missing a Test for Bangladesh since June 2007. His unavailability puts greater responsibility on the shoulders of Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah. Tamim, in particular, will have to take care of the dual responsibilities of leading the side as well as scoring runs. Rahim’s absence means Nurul Hasan will take over the wicketkeeping duties. On the other hand, Kayes’ unavailability has opened doors for Soumya Sarkar at the top of the order. He will, in all likelihood, open for the first time in Tests for Bangladesh.

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