Birmingham Phoenix have suffered a major pre-season setback on the eve of their marketing campaign opener, with star Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman formally dominated out of The Hundred 2026. The left-arm seamer, who was set to make historical past as the primary Bangladeshi participant to characteristic within the match, sustained a grade 1 knee muscle tear that requires at the least 4 weeks of restoration. With their first match scheduled towards the Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on Friday, July 24, the Birmingham franchise moved shortly to safe an skilled worldwide substitute.
Birmingham Phoenix lose Mustafizur Rahman for the remainder of The Hundred 2026
The lack of Mustafizur comes as a bitter blow to the Phoenix technique forward of the fourth version of the 100-ball competitors. Signed for a top-tier payment of £100,000, the 28-year-old was anticipated to anchor the bowling assault together with his trademark cutters and misleading change-of-pace throughout the essential dying overs. Nevertheless, medical evaluations confirmed that the knee damage will maintain him sidelined for the whole period of the match, leaving head coach Shane Bond to regulate his tactical plans simply earlier than opening night time.
Mustafizur’s withdrawal provides to a rising damage checklist for the Birmingham facet. Rising star Jacob Bethell was beforehand dominated out as a result of a knee problem of his personal, prompting the workforce to call South African powerhouse Donovan Ferreira as captain. To cowl Bethell’s absence within the center order, the squad not too long ago drafted Hampshire batter Joe Weatherley, following his standout performances within the 2026 Vitality Blast.
Additionally WATCH: Tim Seifert smashes monstrous six off Jamie Overton as MSG beat LS in The Hundred Men’s 2026
Birmingham Phoenix proclaims a like for like substitute for Bangladesh bowler
To fill the void left by Mustafizur, Birmingham Phoenix have introduced again Australian left-arm quick bowler Ben Dwarshuis. The 32-year-old seam bowler offers a seamless direct swap, providing related variations, left-arm angles, and intensive expertise in short-format cricket. Dwarshuis beforehand featured in a single match for the Phoenix again in 2022 and represented the Northern Superchargers in 2024, the place he claimed 4 wickets in two appearances.
Dwarshuis arrives in England in very good kind following a dominant run with Washington Freedom in Main League Cricket. The Australian seamer completed as one of many match’s standout bowlers, taking 16 wickets throughout eight matches whereas demonstrating unbelievable firepower down the order. Placing at an explosive 202.70 throughout six innings, his lower-order energy hitting provides very important depth to the Phoenix lineup in a recreation format the place each ball counts.
Expressing his confidence within the signee, head coach Bond highlighted the Australian’s versatility throughout all phases of the innings. Bond famous that Dwarshuis brings confirmed worldwide high quality, tactical self-discipline with the brand new ball, and elite death-bowling ability. Standing simply three appearances wanting the 200-match milestone in T20 cricket, Dwarshuis joins a dynamic abroad roster alongside Donovan Ferreira, Mitchell Owen, and Usman Tariq as Birmingham Phoenix launch their quest for the 2026 title.
Additionally READ: The Hundred Men’s 2026: Birmingham Phoenix name replacement for injured Jacob Bethell
