Mustafizur to undergo two-week injury rehabilitation

A decision on Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman's availability for his stint with Sussex will be taken after two weeks, once the bowler completes rehabilitation in Dhaka for his right hamstring and ankle injuries, which he suffered during his debut IPL season.

In March, Sussex had announced that Mustafizur would be their second overseas player and participate in the NatWest T20 Blast and the Royal London One-Day Cup. The Bangladesh bowler was scheduled to join the Sussex squad at the end of the IPL but had been eager for a break after playing 16 matches for his franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mustafizur, who was the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, was also named the emerging player of IPL 2016 and missed only one game in the tournament.

Mustafizur's rehabilitation began on Thursday and Bangladesh's physiotherapist Bayjidul Islam said the focus of the first week was on fitness and not cricket training. ESPNcricinfo learned that Mustafizur will be assessed again after eight days while his rehabilitation will extend for two weeks.

"We will take a decision on him when we see his improvement," Bayjidul said. "For the first week I don't see any possibility of him taking the field. We are working on his hamstring and ankle injuries. He has recovered from the shoulder and side strain."

Bayjidul and Bangladesh trainer Mario Villavarayen rechecked Mustafizur's physical condition. There was slight concern about the bowler's weight but Bayjidul said he was happy with the current measurements.

Mustafizur has struggled with injuries this year. A shoulder injury during a T20I against Zimbabwe in February ruled him out of the inaugural Pakistan Super League. He played only three matches in the Asia Cup before a side strain ended his participation in the tournament.

Sussex have played three games in the NatWest T20 Blast so far and are placed second in the South Group points table after two wins. The team, however, lost both their Royal London One-Day Cup matches, with the next game on June 12 against Middlesex.