Sport Desk: Bangladesh limited overs captain Mashrafe Mortaza has fractured his right thumb during the third and final T20 international against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

The injury could keep him out of cricket for four to six weeks, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed.

Meanwhile, opener Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes were also injured during the match. Tamim hurt his left thumb while Imrul Kayes' left knee hit the digital board near the boundary's edge. Their condition can be reveled after 48 hours of observation.



Bangladesh physio Dean Conway said: "Mashrafe had an X-ray done immediately after the match and the report has confirmed a fractured right metacarpal. Recovery is expected to take between four to six weeks and will be followed by a short rehab. The injured area will be put in a caste as he recovers."



Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal hurt his left thumb while fielding and also had an X-ray after the match. "The thumb is sore but the X-ray has come clear. We will review his condition after 48 hours," said Conway.



The physio also informed that opener Imrul Kayes, whose left knee hit the digital board near the boundary's edge during an attempted catch, did not require a scan today but will be assessed after 48 hours.

Bangladesh lost the match by 27 runs and also were whitewashed in the three-match T20 series.

risingbd/DHAKA/8 Jan 2017/Augustin Sujan