Pakistan’s opening burst in Sylhet lasted only eight overs before Hasan Ali, the spearhead who took four wickets in Dhaka, was carried from the field with what looked like a shoulder or collar-bone problem.
Bangladesh were 18 without loss when debutant Tanzid Hasan pushed a short-of-a-length ball straight back. Hasan dived forward for the return catch, landed heavily and stayed down. “It didn’t look great, but Hasan is a tough lad,” fast-bowling coach Umar Gul told the host broadcaster while the physio treated the bowler near the cut strip.
After a brief examination Hasan rose gingerly, appeared dazed, and was helped onto a stretcher. Middle-order batter Salman Agha completed the over; the new ball spell ended at 0.5 overs, 0 for 6.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, speaking to reporters at the interval, said: “We’ll take no risks with his health. The medical team will decide once the scans are in.” A team spokesperson later confirmed that Hasan was “being assessed in the stadium’s medical room”, with no immediate diagnosis offered.
If the 29-year-old is ruled out, uncapped right-arm quick Amad Butt is the only like-for-like option in Pakistan’s reserves. Shaheen Shah Afridi, rested for this Test after the 104-run defeat in Dhaka, was not named among the substitutes.
Hasan’s early departure left Pakistan’s attack looking thin, especially after they had chosen to bowl first under overcast skies. Former captain Ramiz Raja, on commentary, noted: “Losing your strike bowler in the first hour upsets every plan. Someone else now has to take the new-ball responsibility.”
The incident capped an unsettled fortnight for Pakistan. Hasan had been one of the few bright spots in Dhaka, claiming 4 for 63, three of them in the second innings, with his trademark skiddy pace. Whether he can add to those figures in this match will depend on scan results expected later today.
