"There is still a little bit of soreness in that ligament area, so it means Rahim will be extremely doubtful for the second Test" - Rhodes © AFP

Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes said on Wednesday (March 6) that the injured Mushfiqur Rahim is still doubtful for the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington, but insisted he is on course for the last game in Christchurch.

Rahim was ruled out of the opening Test in Hamilton due to a wrist injury. The wicketkeeper-batsman, who took part in a training session in Wellington to assess his wrist problem, has also been troubled by rib and side strain issues.

''Situation with Mushy is he is trying his best to be fit as quickly as possible for the Test matches. Today was his first real hit with the tennis ball and rubber ball and finished with some cricket ball work. When he got to (playing with) the cricket ball, there was still a little bit of soreness in that ligament area, so it means he will be extremely doubtful for the second Test,'' Rhodes told reporters.

''It will take an amazing recovery overnight but we all hold out hope all the time for Mushy. The good news is that he is on course for the third Test," he added.

Rhodes also observed that despite Tamim Iqbal suffering from a few niggles, he expects the southpaw opener to be fit for the second Test. In the recent past, Bangladesh have been struggling with injuries to key players, including Taskin Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan.

''Tamim had a light workout today; just a little bit soar but nothing major. He is in a good spot, scored over 200 runs (in the Hamilton Test) He[Tamim] is okay and the rest of the boys are fine, so there is no little drama in that respect,'' he noted.

Rhodes also said that despite the visitors slipping to a crushing defeat by an innings and 52 runs in the Hamilton Test, they would take enough positives into the second game. Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah showed their class and quality by stitching an impressive stand of 235 in the second innings. The duo also ensured that the hosts would put up a fight before they eventually lost the game.

''What was pleasing in the last game was to see Soumya coming out and doing so well because in many ways he was a back-up batsman along with Liton."