Pakistan bowler Hasan Ali taken off on stretcher after head injury

Hasan Ali gave Pakistan a major scare on the opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet after suffering a nasty blow to the head while attempting a return catch.

The incident took place in the eighth over of Bangladesh’s innings when opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim chipped the ball back towards the bowler. Hasan dived sharply to his right in an effort to grab the return catch but landed awkwardly, with the right side of his head hitting the ground heavily.

Concern immediately spread across the field as the Pakistan pacer appeared visibly dazed and struggled to regain balance while medical staff rushed in for treatment.

After several minutes of assessment, Hasan was eventually placed on a stretcher and carried off the field, forcing stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha to complete the remainder of the over.

Fortunately for Pakistan, the injury scare did not prove serious enough to rule Hasan out of the contest. The fast bowler returned to the field at the beginning of the 16th over and resumed bowling again in the 19th over, easing fears within the Pakistan camp.

Before the incident, Pakistan had enjoyed a dominant start after winning a crucial toss under cloudy conditions in Sylhet. Their seam attack exploited the helpful conditions brilliantly, with Mohammad Abbas striking in the very first over by dismissing Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Abbas later removed Tanzid Hasan Tamim as well after the Bangladesh opener threw away a promising start.

Mominul Haque looked composed at the crease but lost concentration briefly and was cleaned up by an excellent inswinger from Mir Hamza Shahzad.

At lunch, experienced campaigners Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim were attempting to rebuild the innings cautiously on a lively pitch that continued to offer movement for the seamers while still rewarding disciplined batting.