Fizz fit to play after knee blow in series-clinching win against Pakistan

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) medical department official said on Monday that there were no concerns over Mustafizur Rahman after the pacer was struck on the knee during the third ODI against Pakistan on Sunday, which Bangladesh won by 11 runs to clinch the three-match series 2-1.

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi slogged a delivery in the penultimate over of the pulsating contest at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, with the ball striking Mustafizur hard on the knee. The left-arm pacer went down on the ground, raising concerns that the final delivery of the over might have to be bowled by another player.

Bangladesh, however, breathed a sigh of relief as Mustafizur shrugged off the blow and returned to bowl the final delivery of the over, dismissing Haris Rauf.

“Mustafizur is alright as seen in the MRI and X-ray. There is no fracture and he will be fine to play in upcoming assignments,” a BCB medical department official said.

Sources close to the player, however, said the pacer had suffered inflammation around the knee. 

Bangladesh players are set to have a short break during Eid-ul-Fitr before New Zealand arrive on April 13 for a tour comprising three ODIs and three T20Is.

Mustafizur was also signed by Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League, which is scheduled to begin on March 26.