Bangladesh have made an enforced change at the top of the order for Saturday’s second Test against Pakistan in Sylhet. Shadman Islam, who opened in the Mirpur win, is out with a chest injury; fellow left-hander Zakir Hasan has been brought into the squad.
Shadman was hurt late on day five in Dhaka when he dived forward to remove Salman Ali Agha. The catch stuck, he celebrated, then dropped to the turf and required attention. He did not field again and missed the post-match handshakes as Bangladesh wrapped up victory by 104 runs to lead the two-match series 1–0.
Team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan explained the decision to rule him out. “Shadman took a blow in the chest while taking a catch during the first Test in Mirpur. He has a traumatic contusion of the chest and is in pain,” he said. “He will not be available for the second Test unfortunately.”
Bangladesh have turned to Zakir, 28, who last played a Test in the West Indies 18 months ago. His 13-match record – one hundred, four fifties, average 23.72 – is modest, yet recent domestic form is harder to ignore. In this season’s first-class competition he has piled up 628 runs at 57.09, while also leading the run charts after four rounds of the Dhaka Premier League 50-over tournament.
The selectors were reluctant to tinker with a winning side, but the injury left little choice. Coach Chandika Hathurusingha is likely to pair Zakir with Mahmudul Hasan Joy, keeping the middle order intact.
Pakistan, meanwhile, travelled north on Wednesday evening, mindful that a draw is now the minimum requirement to square the series. Their bowlers felt the strain of 160 overs in Mirpur; Sylhet’s surface traditionally offers a bit more pace and carry, something the tourists will welcome. For Bangladesh, the brief is simple: secure at least a draw and claim a rare Test series win against higher-ranked opposition.
