Mushfiqur, Kayes and Mominul ruled out of second Test

Bangladesh`s tour of New Zealand just got harder, with their captain Mushfiqur Rahim, opener Imrul Kayes and No. 3 Mominul Haque ruled out of the second Test in Christchurch. They will need time to recover from injuries. Mushfiqur`s thumb will keep him out for at least three weeks, Imrul has a grade-two thigh strain, and Mominul has a rib injury.

Mushfiqur`s absence, in particular, will be a shock to the system: this will be the first time since June 2007 that he will not be a part of their batting order. He has been a stable cog in a middle order that has undergone through several changes over the years. In his absence, greater responsibility will fall on Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah.

Imrul, too, has been important as one half of Bangladesh`s best opening partnership, so Tamim Iqbal will carry a double burden - as opener and now, captain. Soumya Sarkar will open for the first time in Tests. Mominul`s absence is also a severe blow: he made 64 and 23 in Wellington and had not missed a Test since February 2013. Bangladesh will do well to replicate their first innings at Basin Reserve, but improve upon their bowling.

New Zealand have few such worries, given almost everyone made contributions in the first Test. Tom Latham and Kane Williamson struck hundreds while Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner and BJ Watling all contributed. As at Wellington, it will be their bowling, which brings a range of threats, and that will be the difference.

Source: ESPNcricinfo