Mashrafe Mortaza suffers fractured thumb

Mashrafe Mortaza suffers fractured thumb

Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh captain, suffered a fracture to his right thumb during the third and final Twenty20 International (T20I) against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday (January 8). Mortaza is said to have undergone an X-ray right after the game and will be out of action for four to six weeks.

"Mashrafe had an X-ray done immediately after the match and the report has confirmed a fractured right metacarpal. Recovery is expected to take between four to six weeks and will be followed by a short rehab. The injured area will be put in a caste as he recovers," Bangladesh physio Dean Conway said.

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes will also be assessed over the next 48 hours, after both hurt themselves during New Zealand's batting. "(Tamim's) thumb is sore but the X-ray has come clear. We will review his condition after 48 hours," Conway said. Kayes, who had crashed onto the digital board at the boundary while trying to attempt a catch, didn't need a knee scan.

The fitness of the two openers will be a massive worry for the visitors, with just three days to go for the first Test in Wellington, starting from January 12.