Just when Bangladesh thought their squad was ready for the challenge in Lahore, another big blow hit the camp — Mustafizur Rahman is out.
The left-arm pace wizard, who has been in and out of the team due to fitness concerns over the years, has now been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, starting May 28. And this time, it’s not a recurring injury — it’s a painful one, literally.
IPL Injury Comes at the Wrong Time
Mustafizur, who was playing for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025, copped a nasty blow on his left thumb during the match against Punjab Kings on May 24. While trying to take a sharp caught-and-bowled chance off Josh Inglis, the ball hit him flush on the hand.
According to Bangladesh team physio Delowar Hossain, scans revealed a clip fracture — and that means two to three weeks on the sidelines.
“This injury requires a period of rest and rehabilitation. We’ll assess again after two weeks,” Hossain shared.
Given the short timeline and the tight schedule, there was no way Bangladesh could risk aggravating the injury. The team management moved quickly and named Khaled Ahmed as his replacement.
A Third Blow Before the Series Starts
It’s not just Mustafizur. Bangladesh’s plans have been rocked by multiple withdrawals even before a ball has been bowled in the series.
Nahid Rana pulled out citing personal reasons. Soumya Sarkar injured his back and was replaced by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. And now, Mustafizur is out too.
Talk about bad timing, right? The Tigers, who are looking to bounce back after a 2-1 T20I series loss to UAE in Sharjah, now head to Lahore a little lighter on experience.
Enter Khaled Ahmed: A Man in Form
While Mustafizur’s absence is a setback, it opens the door for Khaled Ahmed, who’s been quietly making waves across formats.
The 2024–25 season has been a memorable one for the pacer. Across all formats, he’s picked up a whopping 77 wickets at 21.74. Even in the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Khaled shone with 20 wickets at an average of 21.55.
He might not have the variations of the Fizz, but Khaled brings in pace, bounce, and a hunger to prove himself on the big stage. For a bowler who’s often been labelled a red-ball specialist, this T20 call-up is a chance to change perceptions.
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