RAWALPINDI: Pakistan declared their first innings at 448-6 on Thursday after Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel hit brilliant centuries on the second day of the opening Test against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Stadium.
The day’s play saw Mohammad Rizwan scoring an unbeaten 171, his highest Test score to date, which included three sixes and 11 boundaries. Saud Shakeel also made a significant contribution with a solid 141, as Pakistan capitalized on a strong partnership that rescued their innings after a precarious start. The declaration came after a commanding recovery from Pakistan, who resumed their innings on 158-4.
Rizwan and Shakeel’s partnership proved crucial, as the duo added 240 runs for the fifth wicket. Their resilience was particularly notable given the pressure of a shaky start on the opening day, where Pakistan lost three wickets for just 16 runs. This partnership ensured a substantial total and enabled Pakistan to declare their innings.
In the morning session, Shakeel and Rizwan continued their impressive stand, reaching a score of 256-4 by lunch. Shakeel’s innings was marked by composure and technique, while Rizwan’s aggressive approach added vitality to the score. Pakistan’s innings had earlier been steadied by a 98-run partnership between Shakeel and Saim Ayub, who contributed a gritty 56 off 98 balls before being dismissed in the 32nd over.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, adding to the excitement towards the end of the innings, smashed two sixes and a boundary in his quickfire 29 not out, further boosting Pakistan’s total.
For Bangladesh, pacers Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam were the standout bowlers. Mahmud claimed 2-70, while Islam took 2-77, playing key roles in containing the Pakistani batsmen and claiming crucial wickets.
Pakistan Playing XI
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed (not in the first Test), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam (not in the first Test), Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Bangladesh Playing XI
Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mahmudullah, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed.
