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Bangladesh’s preparations for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan have suffered a significant setback with the injury-enforced absence of their star pacer, Mustafizur Rahman. The left-arm seamer, a linchpin in Bangladesh’s bowling attack, sustained a clip fracture on his left thumb during his final Indian Premier League (IPL) match for Delhi Capitals, ruling him out of the three-match series in Lahore starting May 28. In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named fast bowler as his replacement, hoping to fill the void left by Mustafizur’s untimely injury.
Mustafizur Rahman gets ruled out of the T20I series
Mustafizur’s injury occurred during a caught-and-bowled attempt off Australia batter Josh Inglis in the IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings on May 24. The impact left him with a clip fracture on his left thumb, requiring immediate rest and rehabilitation. According to Bangladesh’s national team physio Delowar Hossain, Mustafizur will be sidelined for at least two to three weeks, with a follow-up assessment planned after two weeks to monitor his recovery.
This development is a major blow for Bangladesh, especially given Mustafizur’s recent form. In the IPL 2025 season, he picked up four wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 7.90, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan’s tally to become the highest wicket-taking Bangladeshi in IPL history. His absence is compounded by the fact that he is the third player to miss the Pakistan series, with Nahid Rana withdrawing for personal reasons and Soumya Sarkar ruled out due to a back injury.
Also READ: IPL 2025: Here’s the price at which Mustafizur Rahman replaced Jake Fraser-McGurk in Delhi Capitals
A new Bangladeshi quick replaces Mustafizur
With Mustafizur out, the spotlight shifts to Khaled Ahmed, who has been drafted into the squad as a replacement. Khaled, a right-arm fast bowler, has enjoyed a prolific 2024–25 domestic season, claiming 77 wickets at an average of 21.74 across all formats. His recent performance in the Bangladesh Premier League, where he took 20 wickets at 21.55, underscores his readiness for international duties.
Khaled’s inclusion brings both hope and pressure. The Bangladesh team faces a depleted squad as they head into a high-stakes series against Pakistan, following a recent T20I series loss to the UAE. The three-match series in Lahore, scheduled for May 28, 30, and June 1, will test the depth and resilience of the Bangladeshi side as they seek to overcome adversity and make a mark on foreign soil.
