Tanzid Hasan Tamim skips batting session with neck discomfort ahead of Mackay Test

Tanzid Hasan Tamim did not bat during Bangladesh’s net session at Mackay on Thursday, August 20, after reporting neck stiffness. The 25-year-old left-handed opener completed the warm-up and took part in the fielding drills alongside his teammates but was kept away from the batting nets entirely as a precautionary measure.

The development has raised questions about his availability for the second Test between Australia and Bangladesh, scheduled August 22-26 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. With the match just two days away, the team management decided against putting Tamim through any batting workload that could aggravate the condition.

According to Cricbuzz, Tamim had been among Bangladesh’s most influential performers in the first Test, held August 13-17 at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. He scored a century and played a central role in the visitors’ nine-wicket victory over Australia, making his fitness status ahead of Mackay a matter of considerable concern for the touring side.

Why did Tanzid miss the batting drills?

Tamim reported neck discomfort before Thursday’s training began, and the Bangladesh management chose not to push him through the batting portion of the session given how close the second Test is. He moved through the warm-up and fielding work without any visible difficulty but did not face a delivery in the nets.

The team has not disclosed the specific severity of the condition, and no timeline has been provided for his return to full training. The priority for the management was to avoid any risk of worsening the problem before the match gets under way on August 22.

Soumya Sarkar was handed extended time in the batting nets during the same session, a clear signal that the management is preparing a contingency in case Tamim is ruled out. Mushfiqur Rahim was also struck on the finger during the session but resumed batting after receiving first aid, and his participation in the second Test does not appear to be in doubt.

What is Bangladesh’s selection plan for the second Test?

Head coach Phil Simmons confirmed on Thursday that the playing eleven for the Mackay Test had not yet been finalised.

“We’ll decide tomorrow. That’s not decided yet,” Simmons said at the pre-match press conference.

Meanwhile, Shoriful Islam is back with the touring party for the second Test after being unavailable for the Darwin game through injury. He bowled at length during Thursday’s net session, giving the selectors a fresh option to consider. However, Simmons signalled his general preference for keeping a settled group after a victory.

“He [Shoriful] offers something different, but again, we just won a Test match, so I am one of them who hardly likes to change [a] winning eleven,” Simmons updated.

The combination of Tamim’s fitness concern and Shoriful’s return to full training means Bangladesh’s final eleven could differ from the side that beat Australia in Darwin, though no changes have been confirmed ahead of the August 21 announcement.