Zakir on alert as Joy, Shadman fitness clouds Sylhet Test opener slot

Bangladesh's preparations for the second Test against Pakistan in Sylhet have been dealt an early blow, with both first-choice openers Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy carrying injuries sustained during fielding in the Mirpur Test.

As a result, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has called up left-handed opener Zakir Hasan as a potential replacement, with the 28-year-old spotted practicing alongside the squad at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Sources have told Daily Sun that the board will assess the condition of both Shadman and Joy on Thursday evening before making a final call on Zakir's inclusion in the squad.

Should either opener fail to recover in time, Zakir is expected to be drafted in ahead of the Sylhet Test, which is scheduled to get underway on Saturday.