Babar Azam to boost Pakistan in second Bangladesh Test

Pakistan will be strengthened by the return of star batsman Babar Azam for the second and final cricket Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said on Friday.

A knee injury ruled Babar, 31, out of the first Test, won by Bangladesh by 104 runs to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

“Babar Azam is available for the next match,” Sarfaraz told reporters ahead of the second Test starting on Saturday.

“We are disappointed after the first Test but the past is the past. We are hopeful. We will bounce back as a team.”

Bangladesh also have injury concerns among their top-order batsmen.

Shadman Islam has been ruled out with a chest injury sustained during the first Test, while fellow opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s fitness is also being monitored.

White-ball opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim is set to make his Test debut in Shadman’s absence.

Rain is predicted for the decider but Sarfaraz sought to play down the conditions.

“The weather is not in our hands. If we have an opportunity to play cricket here, we will definitely play good cricket,” he said.

However, veteran Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim said the weather could play a decisive role.

“I think the weather is a bigger challenge than the wicket,” he said, adding that there could be a little moisture on the wicket.

Mushfiqur was unmoved by the prospect of facing a fully fit Babar.

“If any individual and such a world-class cricketer like him is in the team, then naturally it will be a boost for them,” he said.

“But when we won 2-0 against Pakistan in Pakistan, he was there too.”