RAWALPINDI: Pace bowler Khurram Shahzad delivered a spectacular performance on Sunday, taking four wickets to leave Bangladesh in deep trouble at 75-6 by lunch on the third day of the second Test in Rawalpindi.
Shahzad’s devastating spell of 4-15, complemented by Mir Hamza’s 2-29, triggered a dramatic collapse in Bangladesh’s batting lineup as they replied to Pakistan’s first innings total of 274 in this rain-affected match.
Bangladesh’s innings started poorly after resuming on 10-0. Shahzad soon struck, removing opener Zakir Hasan for one, caught by Abrar Ahmed. He continued to dismantle the top order by bowling Shadman Islam (10) and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (1) in quick succession, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 20-3. Hamza joined the onslaught by having Mominul Haque caught for one and dismissing first Test centurion Mushfiqur Rahim for three with a perfect outswinger.
At 26-6, Shahzad trapped Shakib Al Hasan lbw for two, putting Bangladesh in danger of a follow-on. However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (33 not out) and Litton Das (13 not out) fought back with a gritty unbroken seventh-wicket stand worth 49 runs, providing some resistance. With seven boundaries, Mehidy has kept Bangladesh’s hopes alive, though they still need another 49 runs to avoid the follow-on with four wickets remaining.
Bangladesh, leading the two-match series 1-0 after a ten-wicket win in the first Test, now face a stiff challenge to save the second Test against a resurgent Pakistani bowling attack.
