Pakistan will have Babar Azam available for the second Test against Bangladesh at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from Saturday, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said.
Babar missed the first Test with a knee injury as Bangladesh won by 104 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, according to AFP.
“Babar Azam is available for the next match,” Sarfaraz told reporters in Sylhet on Friday, adding that Pakistan wanted to move on from the first-Test defeat and “bounce back as a team”.
Bangladesh also face top-order injury issues. Shadman Islam has a chest injury from the first Test, while team officials continue to monitor fellow opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s fitness.
White-ball opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim is set to make his Test debut if Bangladesh replace Shadman.
Rain could affect the decider in Sylhet. Sarfaraz said Pakistan would play “good cricket” if conditions allowed, while Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim said weather posed a bigger challenge than the pitch.
Mushfiqur said Babar’s return would boost Pakistan but noted that Bangladesh beat Pakistan 2-0 in Pakistan when Babar was also part of the side.
