Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim sat out the team's net batting session in Mackay on Thursday after experiencing neck stiffness ahead of the second Test against Australia.

Although Tanzid took part in warm-ups and fielding drills at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, the team management opted not to take any risks with the left-hander and rested him from batting. Tanzid, who played a defining role with a magnificent century in Bangladesh's historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in the opening Test at Darwin, spent a significant portion of practice observing from the sidelines alongside chief selector Habibul Bashar.

Team officials remain optimistic that Tanzid will return to full practice before the series finale begins. As a contingency measure, all-rounder Soumya Sarkar was given an extensive workout with both bat and ball in the nets.

Injury Scare for Mushfiqur, Shoriful Returns to Contention

In another injury scare during Thursday's training, veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim took a painful blow to his finger while batting. However, he was able to resume his net session after receiving prompt on-field medical attention from the team physiotherapist.

Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam, who missed the first Test due to injury, bowled extended spells during practice to push his case for selection. Head coach Phil Simmons indicated that a final decision on the playing XI would be made on the eve of the match, balancing Shoriful's return against the momentum of an unchanged lineup.

"We'll decide tomorrow. That's not decided yet," Simmons said regarding the possibility of fielding four seamers. "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."