Mushfiqur Rahim has been ruled out of the first Test between Bangladesh and West Indies in Mirpur on October 28, 2026, after a right index finger contusion. The 106-Test veteran is expected back within three days, which keeps him in line for the Sylhet Test starting November 5.
Injury Details and Medical Assessment
The injury occurred on Tuesday during a nets session at the BCB Academy premises. A bouncer struck Mushfiqur's right index finger, and he cut short his session and left the ground with the finger taped.
On Wednesday morning he felt pain while trying to put on his wicketkeeping gloves. Team management then decided he was not fit for the series opener.
What the X-ray Revealed
An X-ray on Wednesday showed no tear in the finger. The injury was classified as a contusion, which points to a short recovery window rather than extended rest or surgical intervention.
Injury Timeline| Day | Event | Outcome |
|---|
| Tuesday | Bouncer hits right index finger in nets | Session cut short, finger taped |
| Wednesday morning | Pain while putting on wicketkeeping gloves | Declared unfit for first Test |
| Wednesday | X-ray conducted | No tear; contusion confirmed |
Physiotherapist's Recovery Estimate
Team physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan said Mushfiqur remained under observation but had not improved enough by Wednesday morning. He described the injury as a contusion and expressed hope of recovery within three days.
“He will be available for the next Test,” Bayjedul Islam said, as quoted by Cricbuzz. That puts the second Test in Sylhet, scheduled to begin on November 5, as the expected return point.
Replacement and Toss
Towhid Hridoy was included in Bangladesh's XI in place of Mushfiqur. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Mushfiqur's Standing in Bangladesh's Test Setup
Mushfiqur is Bangladesh's highest run-scorer in Test cricket. At 38, he has played 106 Tests and remains central to the batting order and the wicketkeeping role.
His most recent Test innings came against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi earlier in October 2026, where he scored 81 runs. That recent contribution makes his absence in Mirpur notable.
Mushfiqur Rahim: Key Reference Points| Metric | Detail |
|---|
| Age | 38 |
| Test appearances | 106 |
| Bangladesh Test run-scoring rank | Highest |
| Last Test innings | 81 runs vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-batter |
A Repeat Absence Against West Indies
Mushfiqur also missed Bangladesh's last Test against West Indies, during the 2024 tour of the Caribbean, because of injury. This is therefore a second consecutive Test absence against the same opponents.
World Test Championship Context
The two-match series is part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. It falls within Bangladesh's remaining six Tests in that cycle, and the team currently sits fourth in the standings.
To reach the WTC final for the first time, Bangladesh need four wins and at least one draw from those six matches. That means at least five of the six remaining Tests must produce a win or a draw, leaving little margin for error.
Bangladesh's WTC Requirement| Factor | Value |
|---|
| Current WTC position | Fourth |
| Remaining Tests in cycle | 6 |
| Wins required | 4 |
| Draws required | At least 1 |
Outlook for the Sylhet Test
If the three-day recovery estimate holds, Mushfiqur would return for the second Test starting November 5. His availability would restore Bangladesh's most experienced batting option for the second half of the series.
The first Test will show how well the batting order functions without him. Towhid Hridoy's role in that unit will be one of the main points to track.