RAWALPINDI: Bangladesh’s bowlers showcased a commanding performance on the second day of the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, dismissing Pakistan for 274. The standout performer for Bangladesh was spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who claimed five wickets for 61 runs, while pacer Taskin Ahmed contributed significantly with three wickets.
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. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack and effective fielding have put them in a strong position.
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
