Mushfiqur's return lends stability to the Bangladesh batting order © Getty

In what comes as a fresh blow for Bangladesh, opening batsman Tamim Iqbal has aggravated his groin injury during a practice session on Thursday (March 14). The severity of the injury could not be determined but Bangladesh will be sweating over his availability for the final Test against New Zealand, which begins on March 16.

Cricbuzz has learnt that Tamim left the practice session in Christchurch midway with lot of discomfort. "We can only take a decision regarding him after assessing his condition tomorrow," BCB cricket operations chairman Akram Khan told Cricbuzz. "He was feeling pain in the groin while taking part in the fielding drill at the practice session and decided not to take part any further in the training session. We are just hoping that he can recover on time as there is still some time left before the third Test."

Tamim, who played the second Test with a slight niggle, may not be risked for the last game - which is a dead rubber - with the team management concerned that an aggravation of the injury could affect his World Cup preparations.

Meanwhile, chief selector Minhajul Abedin expressed his confidence over the availability of Mushfiqur Rahim. The experienced cricketer, who missed the first two Tests due to a wrist injury, has made sufficient recovery, according to Minhajul. "We are confident about his [Mushfiqur's] availability," said Minhajul. "According to the report that we have received he had recovered sufficiently to play the last Test."

Mushfiqur has been struggling with a spate of injuries during the New Zealand tour. The 31-year-old picked up a rib injury during the second ODI against New Zealand last month and went on to play the third game despite scans revealing a broken rib. He also picked up a side strain before the wrist injury that kept him out of the first two Tests.