Shoriful Islam misses second Pakistan Test due to groin injury

Bangladesh’s pacer Shoriful Islam missed the second Test against Pakistan due to a groin injury. Taskin Ahmed has replaced Shoriful in Bangladesh’s squad for the game. It is worth noting that the pacer has picked up three wickets in the first Test, which helped Bangladesh win the game. 

The second Test on the other hand, started a day late after day 1 of the clash was washed out due to rain. During the toss on day 2, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto had won the toss and revealed the situation with Shoriful Islam.

"Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam has a groin strain and could not be considered for selection in the second Test against Pakistan which got underway in Rawalpindi today( Saturday). The left-arm pacer had complained of discomfort in the groin area after the first match and subsequent tests confirmed the injury," the BCB said in a statement. 

"Shoriful underwent an MRI following the first Test and the results show a Grade 1 left adductor strain. Recovery usually takes around 10 days in such cases and he has started his rehab," Bangladesh physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said. 

Taskin Ahmed made his return to the longest format after a year as he played his last Test match against Afghanistan in June 2023. On the other hand, Shoriful Islam, who is just 23 years old, has played 11 Tests for Bangladesh so far, where he has taken 25 wickets to his name. 

As the second Test began, Bangladesh got off to a good start. Bowling first on day 2, the visitors managed to take two wickets of Pakistan quite early. Opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a duck after facing just six deliveries whereas skipper Shan Masood was dismissed for 57 runs in 69 balls. 

The side will hope that they can replicate their showing from the first Test and register yet another victory to cause another upset to the hosts.