Who will Babar Azam replace in Pakistan's second Test against Bangladesh?

Pakistan faces a critical selection decision ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet, with Babar Azam fit to return after missing the first match due to a knee injury. Pakistan lost that opener in Mirpur and trail 1-0 in the two-match series, making the second Test a must-win.

Who will Babar Azam replace in Pakistan's second Test?

Babar Azam is most likely to replace either Imam-ul-Haq or Saud Shakeel in Pakistan's second Test against Bangladesh. Both batters struggled in Mirpur, averaging around 26 across their last 10 Test innings. Debutants Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal performed strongly enough to retain their spots, which makes one of the senior batters the likely candidate to make way.

Why are Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal certain to keep their places?

Both debutants impressed significantly in the first Test. Azan Awais scored a century on debut as an opener, while Abdullah Fazal registered 60 and 66 batting at number three, showing composure beyond his 23 years. Their performances have made it very difficult for team management to drop either player, effectively shifting the selection pressure entirely onto the established names.

What do the recent numbers say about Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel?

Imam-ul-Haq showed promise in the first innings with 45 runs and shared a 100-run opening stand. However, he was dismissed in the very first over of the second innings, when Pakistan desperately needed stability. Across his last 10 Test innings, Imam has scored just 260 runs at an average of 26, with only two half-centuries to show.

Saud Shakeel's numbers tell a similar story. The middle-order batter struggled in both innings in Mirpur and has managed 261 runs in his last 10 Test innings at an average of 26.1. Neither batter has made a compelling case to hold their place ahead of a returning Babar Azam.

Could Abdullah Fazal move to open and reshape the batting order?

The most logical solution may be moving Abdullah Fazal back to his natural position at the top of the order. He is primarily an opener in domestic cricket and finished as the leading run-scorer in the President's Trophy 2025/26, accumulating 622 runs. If Imam is dropped, Abdullah could partner Azan at the top, allowing Shan Masood to bat at three and Babar to slot back into his preferred number four position.

Is Shan Masood at risk of being dropped despite poor form?

Captain Shan Masood managed just 9 and 2 in the first Test, but his position appears secure for now. He was Pakistan's leading run-scorer in the previous Test series against South Africa, and his captaincy role makes him very unlikely to be considered for dropping. The selection conversation centres on Imam and Saud, not Masood.

As Pakistan prepare for a series-defining match in Sylhet, selectors face a straightforward but difficult choice: drop Imam-ul-Haq or Saud Shakeel. Babar Azam's return could significantly reshape the batting order as Pakistan look to level the series.