Bangladesh suffered a major blow on Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium when in-form opening batsman Shadman Islam twisted his left ankle while fielding on the boundary and had to be stretchered off the ground. The incident took place during the morning session, casting immediate doubt over his participation in the remainder of the crucial series-deciding fixture.

How the Incident Unfolded Near the Boundary Rope

The injury occurred on the opening delivery of the 78th over during the West Indies’ first innings. Facing off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, West Indies batter Amir Jangoo played a glanced flick through the fine-leg region. Patrolling the boundary, Shadman sprinted to his right to cut off the boundary.

Heavy morning dew had left the outfield turf slick and slippery near the ropes. As Shadman slid in an attempt to pull the ball back into play, his left foot appeared to get caught awkwardly in the soft surface. His left ankle buckled sharply under his own body weight, sending him tumbling violently along the turf.

The 31-year-old opener immediately clutched his left ankle and writhed in severe pain, prompting teammates and on-field umpires to signal urgently for the medical team. Bangladesh physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan and attendant paramedics rushed onto the ground to remove his left shoe and apply ice. Unable to bear any weight on his foot, Shadman had to be carefully strapped to a stretcher and carried off the field before being transferred into a waiting ambulance to undergo hospital evaluation.

Official Medical Update: MRI Scans Underway

Providing an immediate update from the stadium, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan confirmed that the opener sustained a severe twist to his left ankle.

“What happened to Shadman is an ankle twist in his left ankle. It is currently under observation. We have sent him for an MRI scan to determine the full extent of the tissue damage,” said the team physio.

The medical staff noted that a conclusive verdict regarding ligament tears, swelling management, and his availability to bat in Bangladesh’s innings will be made once the radiology reports arrive.

Massive Tactical Setback for Bangladesh in Must-Win Test

The timing of the injury comes as a significant setback for the hosts. Having conceded an eight-wicket defeat in the opening Test at Mirpur, Bangladesh entered the Sylhet encounter trailing 1-0 in the two-match series.

Shadman had been Bangladesh’s standout performer with the bat, striking a resolute first-innings century (101) in Mirpur to showcase form against the Caribbean pace attack.

Under ICC playing conditions, tactical substitutions are only permitted for diagnosed concussions or verified COVID-19 cases. An on-field external joint injury does not qualify for a like-for-like replacement, leaving Bangladesh at risk of competing with an effective ten-man batting lineup if Shadman is medically ruled unfit to take the crease. When the West Indies innings folded for 356, the team management was forced to improvise, promoting lower-order all-rounder Nayeem Hasan to open the batting alongside Tanzid Hasan Tamim.