BAN vs SL: Pacer Mustafizur Rahman stretchered off the field during third ODI

The third and final ODI between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Monday saw an injury scare for the hosts. Bangladesh's star pacer Mustafizur Rahman had to be stretchered off the field after suffering severe cramps under the boiling Chattogram heat.

Rahman was brought into the playing XI for the first time in the series. He replaced Tanzim Hasan Sakib who sustained a hamstring injury ahead of the clash. The series is leveled with the last game at Chattogram being the decider.

The incident occurred in the 48th over of the Sri Lankan innings when Mustafizur, who had already claimed two wickets, was midway through his final over. He had earlier bowled 9 overs, conceding 39 runs. After starting his 10th over, the left arm was visibly in discomfort, clutching his stomach and eventually collapsing to the ground after delivering the final ball of the 47th over.

"Could be a bad case of cramps. He's not even able to walk off the field here, as the stretcher comes on. It could just be cramps all over the body. The heat is quite oppressing out there," said Russell Arnold while on air.

Mustafizur Rahman made one final attempt to complete his over when play resumed, but could only manage a wide delivery with a shortened run-up before walking off. His Bangladesh teammate Soumya Sarkar completed the remainder of the over in his place. Sarkar managed to keep the pressure on Sri Lanka, conceding just five runs and claiming a wicket in Mustafizur's absence.

Also Read: Tanzim Hasan Sakib out of final ODI against Sri Lanka due to hamstring injury

Mustafizur Rahman was bought by CSK for IPL 2024

The left-arm fast bowler dismissed the dangerous Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka to put Sri Lanka's innings on the back foot after a blazing 101 from Janith Liyanage had threatened to take the game away. Bangladesh's bowlers bundled out the visitors for 235 from their 50 overs after electing to bat first. Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also chipped in with three and two wickets, respectively.

Also Read: Dilshan Madushanka sustains hamstring injury, to miss initial games of IPL 2024 for Mumbai Indians

The hosts require a good batting performance from their batters to clinch the match and the series. While there has been no official update about Rahman's availability for the rest of the match. Mustafizur after the ODI series was likely to join the Chennai Super Kings squad who acquired his services for a staggering INR 2 Crores for the upcoming IPL 2024 but with him being stretched out in the final ODI his availability becomes a concern for the MS Dhoni-led side.