Babar Azam available for second Bangladesh Test in Sylhet, says Sarfaraz Ahmed

DHAKA: Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has said star batter Babar Azam is available for the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet, giving the visitors a major boost ahead of the series decider.

Babar, 31, missed the opening Test because of a knee injury. In his absence, Pakistan suffered a 104-run defeat as Bangladesh took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Speaking to reporters before the start of the second Test on Saturday, Sarfaraz confirmed the batter’s return and said the team was looking to recover from the setback in the first match.

Babar Azam is available for the next match.

Sarfaraz said.

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

Pakistan will now head into the Sylhet Test seeking to level the series after Bangladesh’s win in the opener put the hosts in front.

Bangladesh dealing with top-order injury concerns

Bangladesh, meanwhile, also have selection issues ahead of the match because of injuries among their top-order batters.

Shadman Islam has been ruled out after suffering a chest injury during the first Test. Fellow opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy is also under observation, with his fitness still being assessed.

In Shadman’s absence, white-ball opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim is set to make his Test debut.

Weather in focus before series decider

Rain is forecast for the match, raising the possibility that conditions could influence the outcome of the series. Sarfaraz, however, said Pakistan were not dwelling on the weather and would focus on their cricket if play is possible.

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

he said.

Veteran Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim also spoke about the expected conditions and suggested the weather may prove more significant than the pitch itself.

I think the weather is a bigger challenge than the wicket.

Mushfiqur said.

He added that there could be a little moisture on the wicket.

Mushfiqur unfazed by Babar’s return

Mushfiqur said Babar’s presence would naturally strengthen Pakistan, but noted that Bangladesh had previously beaten Pakistan even when the former captain was in the side.

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.

The second Test begins on Saturday in Sylhet, with Pakistan aiming to draw the series and Bangladesh looking to complete a series victory after taking the opener by 104 runs.