Bangladesh’s second Test against the West Indies in Sylhet took a dramatic turn on Friday morning when opener Shadman Islam was stretchered off the field with a suspected ankle injury. The incident occurred in the 78th over of West Indies’ first innings, as Islam chased a ball played toward fine leg by Amir Jangoo. According to BCB physio Bayzediul Islam, the opener twisted his left ankle after slipping on the wet outfield, remaining on the ground in visible pain before being taken off on a stretcher. Islam has been rushed to a local hospital for an MRI scan, with his availability for the remainder of the match pending the diagnostic results.
Slippery Sylhet outfield forces BCB to gamble on Nayeem Hasan as West Indies chase 357
The injury is a significant blow to the hosts, who had already lost momentum due to hazardous playing conditions. Morning dew had left the boundary ropes slippery, a factor that also saw pacer Hasan Mahmud slip earlier in the day. With West Indies bowled out for 356 after lunch on day two, Bangladesh now faces the critical task of chasing 357 to force a decision. The absence of their primary run-scorer at the top of the order complicates their strategy, forcing captain Mominul Haque to make immediate tactical adjustments to maintain competitive pressure on the visitors.
In the absence of Islam, Bangladesh promoted Nayeem Hasan to open the innings, a rare move for the right-hander who has previously batted only at No. 8 or lower. This unexpected promotion highlights the depth challenges facing the BCB squad as they navigate the final two days of the contest. While the West Indies posted a competitive total, Bangladesh’s ability to sustain a chase hinges on the resilience of their middle order and the performance of their emergency opener. Fans and analysts alike are holding their breath, awaiting the MRI results that will determine whether Islam can return to bolster the batting lineup or if Bangladesh must rely entirely on their current ten-man setup.
Source: Yahoo Sports
