Mushfiqur cleared after head blow in Test against New Zealand

Bangladesh captain was carried off the pitch in an ambulance

WELLINGTON: Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has been cleared of any serious injury after he was felled by a bouncer on the final morning of the first Test in Wellington on Monday.

A team spokesperson said Mushfiqur had an X-ray in hospital and there was no evidence of significant harm from the Tim Southee delivery.

There had been anxious moments as Mushfiqur lay prone on the pitch for several minutes after sustaining a blow to the back of the head. He was tended to by medical staff from both teams before an ambulance arrived in the middle and he was taken him to hospital.

Short-pitched deliveries have been a feature of the Test with New Zealand batsman Mitchell Santner taking a fierce blow to the head from Taskin Ahmed in the first innings while Neil Wagner was hit three times by Kamrul Islam drawing blood from his chin.



Both teams defend bouncers despite danger

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson defended the use of the short ball, while saying the incident was “unfortunate”.

“It’s a tactic to get players out,” he said.

“It is very unfortunate when you do see someone get hit. It's obviously a delicate place and both teams were very concerned when it happened.

“It was sad to see. It's never nice to see someone in an ambulance on the cricket field but nice to see he's [Mushfiqur] OK now,” he added.

Latham’s ton keeps New Zealand afloat against Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal, who took over the leadership of the Bangladesh side, had no complaints about the tactic and likened a threatening short delivery in New Zealand to facing spin in the sub-continent.

“That's part of the game. You can't complain about it,” he said.

“That was their strategy maybe. I have no complaints. I am sure Mushy [Mushfiqur] doesn't have complaints too.

“When they come to Bangladesh we know that they don't like playing spin, we'll bowl spin all day, that's what happens,” he added.