Cricket: Mushfiqur to be monitored after head knock

Bangladesh will monitor the condition of captain Mushfiqur Rahim leading up to the second test against New Zealand starting in Christchurch on Friday.

Mushfiqur spent time at Wellington hospital today after being struck on the back of his head by a short lifting ball from seamer Tim Southee during New Zealand's seven-wicket win.

He was prone on the Basin Reserve pitch for 13 minutes while an ambulance was brought onto the centre of the ground.

The early indications are encouraging. Mushfiqur had also been nursing blows to his left thumb and right index finger which he received in the course of his fine 159 in Bangladesh's first innings.

''He had an x-ray of the neck, which came out all clear and he was released from hospital," Bangladesh's media manager Rabeed Iman said tonight.

''Obviously there were some mild concussions so the physio and medical team will take it slowly with Mushfiq and observe him regularly over the next few days."

The likelihood is Mushfiqur, who is a key player in the Bangladesh side, not only as captain of the test team but an influential figure with the bat and in the field, will play in Christchurch.

However Mushfiqur is getting considerable pain from his thumb, which is likely to force him to play the match with some discomfort.