RAWALPINDI: Bangladesh were trailing by 264 runs at stumps after Pakistan were dismissed for 274 on the second day of their ongoing Test match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The first day’s play was washed out due to rain. Bangladesh were without loss at the end of the second day’s play.
Pakistan, having been sent in to bat by Bangladesh, started cautiously but faced a significant challenge as the day progressed. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as the standout performer for Bangladesh, taking five wickets for 61 runs and playing a crucial role in dismantling the Pakistani batting lineup.
Miraz’s spell was instrumental as he dismissed key batters, including Shan Masood for 57 and Saim Ayub for 58, after Pakistan had reached 99 for 1 at lunch. His performance brought Bangladesh back into the game after a solid start from the Pakistani openers.
The second session of play saw Bangladesh continue its fightback. Shakib Al Hasan trapped Babar Azam for 31 with a delivery that kept low, while Zakir Hasan missed a sharp chance at short-leg off Agha Salman, who had not yet scored at the time.
Despite Bangladesh’s efforts, Pakistan managed to reach a total of 274 before being bowled out. In response, Bangladesh ended the day’s play without losing any wickets. The visitors will resume their innings on the third day.
Taskin Ahmed, who was brought in for the injured Shoriful Islam, made a notable impact by dismissing first-Test centurion Saud Shakeel for 16. Shakeel had already survived a dropped catch earlier in his innings.
Pakistan made two changes from the first Test, resting key bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah in favor of Mir Hamza and spinner Abrar Ahmed. Bangladesh, seeking their first Test series victory over Pakistan, brought in Taskin Ahmed to bolster their attack.
Bangladesh, having won the toss and opted to bowl first, made an immediate impact. Taskin Ahmed struck in the very first over, clean bowling Abdullah Shafique for a duck, putting Pakistan on the back foot from the start.
Despite the early setback, Pakistan’s recovery was spearheaded by captain Shan Masood and Saim Ayub. The pair played through the first session with a mix of aggression and resilience, with Masood being the more aggressive of the two. However, the partnership was broken after Lunch when Bangladesh dismissed both set batsmen. Masood was trapped by Mehidy Hasan for 57, while Ayub was stumped at 58.
Saud Shakeel’s innings was short-lived as he fell to a square cut that was cramped for space, resulting in an inside edge that crashed onto the stumps. At the stroke of tea, veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan added to Pakistan’s woes by dismissing Babar Azam for 31. This wicket left Babar Azam without a fifty in his last 15 innings in Test cricket.
The dismissal of Babar Azam marked the beginning of a flurry of wickets in the final session. Nahid Rana surprised Mohammad Rizwan with a ball that had extra bounce, resulting in an edge. Rizwan managed 29 before his dismissal.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz continued his impressive spell by removing Khurram Shehzad (12) and Mohammad Ali (2), putting pressure on the lower order. Salman Ali Agha was the bright spot for Pakistan in the lower middle order, reaching his seventh Test fifty with a knock of 54 off 95 balls. However, his innings was cut short shortly after reaching the milestone.
The Pakistan innings concluded with Abrar Ahmed being stumped after contributing nine runs.
The first day of the Test match was abandoned due to rain.
Pakistan Playing XI
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad.
Bangladesh Playing XI
Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
