Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman is fit to play, according to pace bowling coach Shaun Tait on Wednesday. Speaking at the press conference ahead of the series decider against New Zealand at the Bir Sreshtho Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium on Thursday, Tait said, “I think he’ll be available for selection. I’m not 100 percent sure.”
Mustafizur had felt discomfort in his right knee just seconds before the toss in the series opener in Mirpur, prompting a last-minute change that saw Shoriful Islam included in the XI. However, Mustafizur was also left out of the second match as he continued rehabilitation process.
On his availability for the decider, with the series level at 1-1, Tait said, “He bowled today, maybe three or four overs. So I don’t know what the selectors are going to do with the team, to be honest. I actually don’t know. But he was fine today bowling.”
With direct qualification for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in mind, the selectors have looked to field a full-strength squad. As part of that plan, Mustafizur was brought back from his PSL stint with Lahore Qalandars.
However, a source close to the team management earlier indicated that Mustafizur could return to Pakistan for the remainder of the PSL, while Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana have also been rested.
