Birmingham Phoenix to assess Mustafizur's fitness ahead of 2026 season

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman will join Birmingham Phoenix as originally planned ahead of the tournament's 2026 edition, despite the fact that his status for The Hundred remains unknown. The left-arm fast bowler was ruled out of the remainder of Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe due to a hamstring tear and meniscal degeneration in his right knee. On Saturday, Birmingham Phoenix Performance Director James Thomas stated that they will call after evaluating his injury. "Having discussed Mustafizur's injuries with him and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, it has been agreed that he will travel to Birmingham as planned next week to be assessed by our medical department, after which we can determine whether he will be able to play any part in The Hundred this year," Thomas said in a statement. "We are hopeful than Mustafizur will be able to represent Birmingham Phoenix this year, but will make sure we have plans in place for all possible outcomes of our assessment. "We will continue to work closely with the Bangladesh Cricket Board to ensure that we are joined up in our approach to further assess the injury and plan appropriate return to play protocols," he added. "Until then, we wish Mustafizur all the best in his recovery." A No Objection Certificate (NOC) had been issued to Mustafizur, allowing him to participate in the entire Hundred season, which ran from July 20 to August 20. He's set to become the first Bangladesh player to feature in England's franchise competition after Phoenix signed him for his base price of GBP 100,000 in the draft.