Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful has defended Test openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam after a tough start to their opening match against Pakistan, urging selectors and supporters not to react hastily to early returns. The pair’s scores in the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Test read 8 and 5 for Joy, with Shadman replying 13 and 10, prompting debate over whether they should keep their spots ahead of the second Test—particularly after Bangladesh named in-form batter Tanzid Hasan in the squad.
Ashraful plays down the early knocks
- Ashraful insisted the openers’ current form should not be treated as a cause for alarm, arguing that Bangladesh’s last Test series showed strong stability at the top.
- He pointed out that in the previous Test series, opening partnerships in three innings produced triple-figure stands, including a 100-run association featuring Shadman’s 80-run knock.
- He added that Joy also had recent evidence of his ceiling, highlighting his career-best 171 against Ireland.
- Explaining the current lean patch, Ashraful noted that the two innings in question were shaped by match context, with Bangladesh having to bat after losing the toss and facing the challenge of the early new ball.
- He expressed confidence that the more experienced batters in the line-up helped absorb the pressure during those innings and said he expects both openers to regain rhythm in the next fixture, “inshallah”.
- Ashraful also argued that players who have contributed recently—“just two innings ago”—should be given further opportunities rather than being dropped immediately.
Mominul’s calm under sledging earns praise
Ashraful’s comments also extended to Mominul Haque, who drew particular attention for his temperament after being heavily targeted by Pakistan players with sledging. Mominul struck 56 in the second innings of the two-match series opener against Pakistan, and his effort helped him reach a major career milestone: he became only the third Bangladesh batter after Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim to cross 5,000 runs in Test cricket.
The coach said the landmark reflects discipline earned through experience, stressing that Mominul has already faced similar hostile phases many times in his career and has managed to stay effective. He described Mominul as composed and confident, adding that the batter did not get drawn into reacting to sledging. Ashraful further explained that such tactics typically emerge when a partnership is taking shape, as the bowling side looks for quick breakthroughs and momentum swings.
He concluded by calling the 5,000-run achievement a significant one and expressing hopes of “big hundreds” from Mominul, similar to the major scores Bangladesh fans saw earlier in his career, as the next series and matches approach.
Bangladesh hold firm despite rain on day four
On the field, Bangladesh remained in a commanding position in the opening Test against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, even with rain interruptions disrupting play on the fourth day. The hosts increased their advantage to 179 runs while retaining seven wickets in hand. At stumps, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was unbeaten on 58 and Mushfiqur Rahim was on 16, keeping Bangladesh firmly on top heading into the next phase of the match.
