Rain, Babar and a date with history

Bangladesh stand on the cusp of a historic series victory as they prepare to face Pakistan in the second and final Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from Saturday, but rain threatens to be an unwanted third team in what promises to be a gripping contest.

The Tigers come into the match on the back of a commanding 104-run victory in Mirpur — a result that sent shockwaves through world cricket and gave Bangladesh a 1-0 series lead.

Win in Sylhet, and they will have completed only their second-ever Test series victory over Pakistan, and their first on home soil in the format against them.

Pakistan, however, arrive in Sylhet with renewed hope. Star batter Babar Azam, who missed the first Test with a knee injury, is back in the fold.

Coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed his availability on Friday, and there is little doubt his presence will add considerable firepower to a batting line-up that crumbled under Bangladesh's pace and spin attack in Mirpur.

But Bangladesh veteran Mushfiqur Rahim was quick to put Babar's return in perspective.

"If any individual and such a world-class cricketer like him is in the team or is available, then naturally there will be a boost for them," he said. "But when we won 2-0 against Pakistan in Pakistan, he was there too."

Sarfaraz, for his part, struck a defiant tone. "We are disappointed after the first Test but the past is the past. We are hopeful. We will bounce back as a team," he hoped.

Bangladesh's preparations have not been without concern, however. Opener Shadman Islam has been officially ruled out with a chest injury sustained during the Mirpur Test, paving the way for white-ball specialist Tanzid Hasan Tamim to make his long-awaited Test debut.

Fellow opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy is also being monitored ahead of the match, adding an element of uncertainty to Bangladesh's top-order plans.

The weather looms as perhaps the biggest variable of all. Overcast conditions are expected throughout the five days in Sylhet, and Mushfiq acknowledged it could have a significant bearing on the match.

"I think the weather is a bigger challenge than the wicket comparatively," he said. "The ball might have a little moisture on the wicket due to the weather."

Despite the conditions, Mushfiq was bullish about Bangladesh's overall trajectory as a Test side. "The Test team that is playing now is obviously more consistent than ever," he noted.

For Bangladesh, history is within touching distance. Sylhet awaits.