Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful has urged patience after a shaky start from the country’s opening pair, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam, in the opening Test against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Both batters came back with low scores across their two innings, with Joy managing 8 and 5 and Shadman posting 13 and 10, leaving plenty of discussion about whether they can keep their spots ahead of the second Test. The debate has intensified after selectors brought in in-form Tanzid Hasan into the squad, but Ashraful believes it is far too soon to sound the alarm.
Speaking to reporters after the day’s play, Ashraful dismissed the idea that the openers’ current form should become a pressing concern. He pointed to Bangladesh’s earlier Test series, stressing that their opening stands had been particularly productive, including 100-run partnerships. Ashraful highlighted that Shadman had contributed a notable 80-plus effort, while Joy had produced the best innings of his career with 171 against Ireland. In his view, the current lean spell was influenced by match conditions rather than a sudden loss of quality. “They didn’t score in these two innings because we had to bat after losing the toss, and surviving the new ball wasn’t easy,” Ashraful said, adding that the experienced batters then managed to steady the innings effectively. He expressed confidence that the two openers would find rhythm again in the next match, saying he hoped both would return to form “inshallah.”
Ashraful also argued that players who have contributed recently should not be judged too quickly. “In my view, those who performed recently—just two innings ago—definitely deserve more opportunities,” he said, reinforcing his stance against wholesale change after a brief dip.
Beyond the openers, Ashraful drew attention to Mominul Haque’s temperament under pressure, especially given the heavy sledging he faced from Pakistan players. In the two-match series opener, Mominul struck 56 in the second innings, and his effort carried a major milestone: he became only the third Bangladesh batter, after Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, to reach 5,000 Test runs. Ashraful underlined how significant that landmark is, saying Mominul is playing his 76th Test and has already faced challenges like sledging many times throughout his career. “He has been successful,” Ashraful remarked, explaining that Mominul’s calm approach and refusal to react to the pressure were key to managing the situation.
Ashraful further elaborated on the nature of sledging during Tests, noting that it typically comes when a partnership is building and the opposition wants to break momentum quickly. “Sledging happens… obviously, when a partnership is building, the opposition team wants quick wickets, which is why they resorted to sledging,” he said. He framed the 5,000-run achievement as a platform for bigger innings, expressing the expectation that Mominul can deliver major centuries like the ones seen earlier in his career, and hoping it will continue in the upcoming series and matches.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh kept control of the opening Test against Pakistan despite interruptions from rain on the fourth day. The hosts extended their advantage to 179 runs, finishing the day with seven wickets remaining, as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim were unbeaten on 58 and 16 respectively at stumps.
