Mushfiqur, Imrul ruled out of Christchurch Test

Sport Desk: Bangladesh Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and opener Imrul Kayes have been ruled out of the second Test against hosts New Zealand scheduled to begin Friday in Christchurch.

Mushfiqur's deputy Tamim Iqbal will lead the Tigers in the second and final Test of the two-match series.

Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan will step up to replace Mushfiqur and make his Test debut while Soumya Sarkar will return to team to replace Imrul.

Mushfiqur Rahim injured his thumb in the second Day of Wellington Test and did not keep gloves. He returned to bat in the fifth day but again was struck by a bouncer on helmet forcing him to retired hurt. However, it's his finger which kept him out of the filed for at least 3 to 4 weeks.

Imrul Kayes kept gloves behind the stumps in absence of Mushfiqur in the Wellington Test and made a world record holding 5 catches as a substitute keeper. He fell into injury in the fourth day while diving to escape a run-out. However, he returned to bat in the following day but did not keep the gloves. Later a 'tear' was found on his left thigh.

"Mushfiqur needs 3-4 weeks for his return while it will take maximum 10 days for Imrul," vice-captain Tamim Iqbal who is going to lead the Tigers in Christchurch told newsmen Thursday.

Bangladesh lost the first Test though they scored 595/8d in the first innings.

risingbd/DHAKA/19 Jan 2017/Augustin Sujan