Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said on 21 August that he remains hopeful opening batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim and veteran wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim will receive medical clearance in time for the second Test against Australia in Mackay. Both players picked up injuries during training on Thursday, casting uncertainty over the tourists' playing XI just days after their historic maiden Test win on Australian soil.

The Injury Concerns

Tanzid, who struck a commanding century in the first Test in Darwin, missed the batting session on Thursday due to neck stiffness. Shanto confirmed the left-handed opener had his scan and returned to bat on Friday, which the captain described as 'a positive sign.' However, a final decision on Tanzid's availability will only be made on match morning.

Mushfiqur Rahim sustained a finger injury during a net session on Thursday. Shanto indicated the veteran was progressing well, but stopped short of guaranteeing his participation.

What Shanto Said

'Mushfiqur bhai is doing well so far. Tamim also batted today. Overall, I think we will be able to make a good decision tomorrow morning,' Shanto told reporters on the eve of the Mackay Test. On Tanzid specifically, the skipper added: 'He batted today, and that is a positive sign. But in medical terms, we want to observe him a little more until tomorrow morning. Hopefully he will be fine. But we have all kinds of options. So I don't think there will be much of a problem.'

Bowling Combination in Focus

Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam, who sat out the Darwin Test, was confirmed fit and available for selection. Shanto said Shoriful is 'fine, healthy' and 'bowling well,' raising the prospect of Bangladesh fielding an extra pace option in Mackay. Whether that means dropping left-arm spinner Taijul Islam remains an open question. The captain noted that with five pace bowlers and two spinners in the squad, the team has genuine flexibility.

Shanto also pointed to conditions that could favour the seamers. 'I think the bowlers will get a little help because of the wind. The swing might get a little extra. If the bowlers can use the wind, it will definitely be an added advantage,' he said. The practice wicket, he noted, offered 'a bit more bounce' than expected, prompting the team management to take another look at the surface on match morning before finalising the XI.

Eyes on a Historic Series Win

Bangladesh's Darwin victory — their first-ever Test win in Australia — was built on Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz leading the bowling attack and Tanzid's first-innings century providing crucial batting impetus. Shanto, however, was quick to set that achievement aside. 'I think it's done. The Darwin win is over now. Now we have to play good cricket for five days again. It's very important for us to do well in this Test match. We have to do well again against this bowling and batting attack,' he said.

With a series win against Australia within reach, Bangladesh's medical team faces a critical 24 hours before the Mackay Test gets underway.