Mustafizur Rahman ruled out of 2026 Hundred with hamstring and knee injuries

Bangladesh quick Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out for four weeks due to a grade 1 muscle tear in his right hamstring and a meniscal degeneration in his right knee. The left-arm pacer picked up the injury during the opening match of Bangladesh’s ongoing tour to Zimbabwe and missed the second ODI. This setback marks a devastating blow, as Mustafizur was set to become the first Bangladesh cricketer to play in The Hundred after Birmingham Phoenix signed him for his base price of GBP 100,000. The tournament is scheduled to run from July 20 to August 20 in England.

Team physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan confirmed the left-arm pacer’s dual injury diagnosis, with scans revealing the hamstring tear alongside the knee degeneration. In the opening match against Zimbabwe, Mustafizur completed six overs and conceded 19 runs before the discomfort forced his exit from the field. The experienced seamer had only recently recovered from a separate knee issue sustained earlier in 2026.

Team physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan outlined the severity and expected recovery window in detail. “Mustafizur Rahman complained of pain in his right hamstring while bowling during the opening ODI and left the field. We conducted a scan on July 7 and, according to the report, he sustained a Grade 1 muscle tear in his right hamstring. He also has a minor degenerative issue in the same knee, and we expect his recovery to take at least four weeks. Mustafizur will return home and begin his rehabilitation,” Khan said as quoted by Cricket Addictor.

What happens to his Hundred bid now?

While his participation in the Hundred, which runs from July 21 to August 16, remains in significant doubt, Birmingham Phoenix’s performance director James Thomas confirmed the franchise remains hopeful he will recover in time. “Having discussed Mustafizur’s injuries with him and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, it has been agreed that he will travel to Birmingham as planned next week to be assessed by our medical department, after which we can determine whether he will be able to play any part in The Hundred this year,” Thomas said.

After Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe concludes on July 19, they are scheduled to tour Australia for two Tests from August 13. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced replacements for the final ODI and the upcoming T20I series. For Mustafizur, the race against time now becomes critical as medical assessments in Birmingham will determine his availability for the upcoming competition.