RAWALPINDI: Bangladesh has taken a commanding position in the first Test against Pakistan, dominating the fourth day’s play at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Pakistan ended the day with a challenging task ahead, trailing by 94 runs with nine wickets remaining.
After a day largely controlled by Bangladesh, the hosts reached stumps at 23/1. Pakistan’s opening batter Saim Ayub was dismissed for 7, while skipper Shan Masood (9*) and Abdullah Shafique (12*) will resume the innings with the team still in need of 94 runs to erase the deficit.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh built a formidable first-innings lead, scoring 565 in response to Pakistan’s total of 448/6. The standout performer was veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, who delivered a masterclass with the bat. Rahim’s innings of 191 from 341 balls featured 22 fours and a six, and he fell just nine runs short of a double-century. His partner, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, also contributed significantly with 77 from 179 deliveries.
The day began with Bangladesh resuming their innings at 316/5. Rahim and Liton Das were at the crease, with Das scoring 52 off 58 balls. The breakthrough came early when Naseem Shah dismissed Das, caught by Mohammad Rizwan.
Rahim’s determination was the highlight of the day as he anchored the innings and formed a crucial partnership with Miraz. Although Rahim fell just short of a double-century when Mohammad Ali dismissed him, the partnership put Pakistan on the back foot.
Following Rahim’s departure, Pakistan wrapped up Bangladesh’s innings quickly. Shaheen Afridi claimed the wickets of Hasan Mahmud and Miraz, while Naseem Shah took the final wicket of Shoriful Islam, who had scored a quick 22 off 14 balls.
As the Test matches between Pakistan and Bangladesh are part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, both teams are keen to strengthen their positions in the WTC points table. Historically, Pakistan has dominated the Test series between the two teams, winning 12 out of 13 encounters, with one match ending in a draw.
Pakistan Playing XI
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad
Bangladesh Playing XI
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
