Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali found himself in a worrying situation after suffering a head injury during the opening portion of day one of the second Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Saturday morning. The incident occurred in the 8th over when he went for a catch off Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s bat, only to end up taking a knock to his own head in the process.
As he rose after the fall, Ali appeared dazed, and he was later taken off the field on a stretcher. At present, there has been no confirmed word on how serious the injury is, but concussion protocols under the ICC framework allow for a like-for-like replacement if required.
Quick facts
- Hasan Ali suffered a head injury on day one of the second Test vs Bangladesh in Sylhet.
- The incident happened in the 8th over while bowling to Tanzid Hasan Tamim.
- Ali went for a catch, failed to take it, and then hit himself on the head.
- He appeared dazed and was later stretchered off.
- If concussion rules apply, Pakistan can replace him with a like-for-like option.
- Amad Butt, the only reserve right-arm fast bowler, could make his debut.
During the over, the ball that caused the trouble was described as a good length delivery that moved into the channel and angled across Tanzid. Tanzid was early into the tuck, got a leading edge in the process, and Hasan Ali stretched his right hand out during his follow-through—only managing to get fingertips to the ball before landing awkwardly.
The commentary described how the impact came when his head struck the turf on the right side as he fell. That sequence is what has set the stage for Pakistan’s immediate medical concern and the possibility of an enforced change in the playing XI.
Pakistan’s position after the first session
With the match already in motion, Pakistan were under pressure but had made a solid start with the ball. They were trailing 1-0 in the two-match series and, after winning the toss, chose to bowl first at Sylhet.
Mohammad Abbas, fresh off a five-wicket haul in the opening Test, struck early by removing Mahmudul Hasan Joy with the second ball of the innings. Tanzid and Mominul Haque then steadied the chase of Bangladesh’s early momentum, adding 44 runs for the second wicket before Abbas struck again.
In the 10th over, Abbas combined the catch-and-bowl to dismiss Tanzid after he made 26 from 34 deliveries. Bangladesh’s next partnership was built around their captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, who had already hit a century and a fifty in the first Test at Mirpur.
Shanto joined Mominul Haque at the crease, but the stand did not last long. Mominul was sent back for 22 when he was dismissed by Khurram Shahzad, who also had the distinction of coming into the XI after replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi for this match.
By lunch, Bangladesh reached 101/3, with Shanto on 26 and Mushfiqur Rahim on 18, holding the innings together after early setbacks.
Series context and scrutiny on Pakistan
Heading into this Test, Pakistan have now dropped their previous three matches against Bangladesh, including a 2-0 defeat at home in 2024. After suffering a heavy 104-run loss in the first Test, the visitors are once again finding themselves at the center of growing criticism from multiple directions.
With Hasan Ali’s fitness now in the spotlight and Bangladesh consolidating after the first session, the second Test is shaping into a key moment for Pakistan—both in terms of personnel decisions and the scoreboard battle that follows.
