Birmingham Phoenix have suffered a significant pre-season setback on the eve of their campaign opener, with star Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman officially ruled out of The Hundred 2026. The left-arm seamer, who was set to make history as the first Bangladeshi player to feature in the tournament, sustained a grade 1 knee muscle tear that requires at least four weeks of recovery. With their first match scheduled against the Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on Friday, July 24, the Birmingham franchise moved quickly to secure an experienced international replacement.
Birmingham Phoenix lose Mustafizur Rahman for the rest of The Hundred 2026
The loss of Mustafizur comes as a bitter blow to the Phoenix strategy ahead of the fourth edition of the 100-ball competition. Signed for a top-tier fee of £100,000, the 28-year-old was expected to anchor the bowling attack with his trademark cutters and deceptive change-of-pace during the crucial death overs. However, medical evaluations confirmed that the knee injury will keep him sidelined for the entire duration of the tournament, leaving head coach Shane Bond to adjust his tactical plans just before opening night.
Mustafizur’s withdrawal adds to a growing injury list for the Birmingham side. Rising star Jacob Bethell was previously ruled out due to a knee issue of his own, prompting the team to name South African powerhouse Donovan Ferreira as captain. To cover Bethell’s absence in the middle order, the squad recently drafted Hampshire batter Joe Weatherley, following his standout performances in the 2026 Vitality Blast.
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Birmingham Phoenix announces a like for like replacement for Bangladesh bowler
To fill the void left by Mustafizur, Birmingham Phoenix have brought back Australian left-arm fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis. The 32-year-old seam bowler provides a seamless direct swap, offering similar variations, left-arm angles, and extensive experience in short-format cricket. Dwarshuis previously featured in one match for the Phoenix back in 2022 and represented the Northern Superchargers in 2024, where he claimed four wickets in two appearances.
Dwarshuis arrives in England in superb form following a dominant run with Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket. The Australian seamer finished as one of the tournament’s standout bowlers, taking 16 wickets across eight matches while demonstrating incredible firepower down the order. Striking at an explosive 202.70 across six innings, his lower-order power hitting adds vital depth to the Phoenix lineup in a game format where every ball counts.
Expressing his confidence in the signee, head coach Bond highlighted the Australian’s versatility across all phases of the innings. Bond noted that Dwarshuis brings proven international quality, tactical discipline with the new ball, and elite death-bowling skill. Standing just three appearances short of the 200-match milestone in T20 cricket, Dwarshuis joins a dynamic overseas roster alongside Donovan Ferreira, Mitchell Owen, and Usman Tariq as Birmingham Phoenix launch their quest for the 2026 title.
