Mominul Haque doubtful for Sylhet Test after concussion in Dhaka opener
Synopsis
Mominul Haque's face-first fall at short leg in Dhaka's first Test has thrown his participation in the Sylhet Test wide open. With the ICC's seven-to-nine-day concussion recovery window sitting right up against the 5 November start, Bangladesh could be forced into a significant batting reshuffle for the second match of the series.
Key Takeaways
Mominul Haque sustained a head injury while fielding at short leg during the 78th over of the West Indies first innings in the Dhaka Test .
The BCB confirmed he has shown concussion symptoms and has been replaced by Jaker Ali Anik as concussion substitute.
Standard ICC concussion recovery takes seven to nine days , putting his availability for the Sylhet Test (starting 5 November ) in doubt.
An early return would require the SCOAT6 test by an independent neurological specialist under ICC protocols.
The BCB is expected to issue further fitness updates in the days leading up to the second Test.
Bangladesh batter Mominul Haque is in a race against time to regain fitness ahead of the second Test against West Indies, scheduled to begin in Sylhet on 5 November, after sustaining a head injury while fielding during the opening Test in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed that the left-handed batter has displayed concussion symptoms and will not take any further part in the first Test.
How the Injury Happened
The incident took place during the 78th over of the West Indies first innings on the third day of play, shortly after the lunch break. Mominul, stationed at short leg, dived to his left attempting to take a catch off the bowling of Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz after Joshua Bishop defended an off-spin delivery with hard hands.
Although Mominul initially appeared to have pouched the chance, he lost control of the ball mid-fall and landed face-first on the ground — striking his head despite wearing a helmet. He was immediately withdrawn from the field for medical assessment.
BCB Confirms Concussion Substitute
Following evaluation, the team management ruled Mominul out of the remainder of the match after determining he had displayed concussion symptoms. Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali Anik was drafted in as his concussion substitute.
'Mominul Haque had suffered a head injury while fielding in the 78th over of the West Indies first innings. As he has shown signs of concussion, he has been replaced by Jaker Ali Anik as the concussion sub for the remainder of the match,' the BCB said in an official statement.
ICC Concussion Protocols and Recovery Timeline
Under the International Cricket Council (ICC) concussion management protocols, players who sustain head injuries must complete a graded return-to-play programme before being cleared for competitive action. Each stage of the programme is monitored to ensure that symptoms do not recur.
The standard recovery window for a concussion is generally seven to nine days, which places Mominul's availability for the Sylhet Test — beginning 5 November — in significant doubt. A return before that window closes would require additional assessment, including the SCOAT6 test administered by an independent neurological specialist, as mandated under ICC protocols.
What It Means for Bangladesh's Batting
Mominul is an experienced Test campaigner for Bangladesh and his potential absence in Sylhet would be a notable blow to the hosts' middle-order stability. This comes amid a series where Bangladesh are already under pressure at home against a competitive West Indies side.
The BCB is expected to provide further medical updates in the coming days as Mominul progresses — or otherwise — through the ICC's required recovery checks. His fitness verdict could come only days before the second Test gets underway.
Point of View
And rightly so — but the timing here is brutal for Bangladesh. With the standard recovery window of seven to nine days ending almost exactly when the Sylhet Test begins, the BCB faces a near-impossible decision: rush Mominul back through accelerated clearance procedures, or field a reshuffled middle order against a West Indies side that will sense the opportunity. The broader issue is that fielding positions like short leg — essential in spin-heavy sub-continental conditions — carry real neurological risk, yet protective equipment and positioning protocols remain inconsistent at the international level. This incident should renew focus on whether fielders in close-catching positions need enhanced headgear standards.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Mominul Haque in the Dhaka Test?
Mominul Haque was injured while fielding at short leg during the 78th over of the West Indies first innings in the Dhaka Test. He dived to attempt a catch, landed face-first on the ground, and was immediately taken off for medical assessment after displaying concussion symptoms.
Will Mominul Haque play in the second Test against West Indies?
His participation in the second Test, starting in Sylhet on 5 November, is doubtful. The standard ICC concussion recovery window is seven to nine days, which aligns closely with the start date, and he would need full medical clearance to play.
Who replaced Mominul Haque in the Dhaka Test?
Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali Anik was named as Mominul's concussion substitute for the remainder of the first Test in Dhaka, as confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
What are the ICC concussion protocols that apply to Mominul?
Under ICC rules, a player diagnosed with concussion must follow a graded return-to-play programme monitored at each stage for symptom recurrence. If a player seeks to return earlier than the standard seven-to-nine-day window, they must pass the SCOAT6 test administered by an independent neurological specialist.
When does the second Bangladesh vs West Indies Test begin?
The second Test between Bangladesh and West Indies is scheduled to begin on 5 November in Sylhet, Bangladesh.
