RAWALPINDI: The second day of the opening Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium concluded with Bangladesh unscathed at 27/0, trailing by 421 runs after Pakistan declared their first innings on 448/6.
Bangladesh’s openers, Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan, started cautiously as they faced 12 overs from Pakistan’s pacers. By stumps, they had managed to score 27 runs without losing a wicket.
The day began with Pakistan resuming their innings at 158/4, with Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel continuing from where they left off on day one. Both batsmen were in exceptional form, forming a resilient partnership that frustrated the Bangladeshi bowlers.
Shakeel, who began the day with 57, reached a masterful 141 from 261 deliveries, including nine boundaries, before being dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. His innings was instrumental in stabilizing Pakistan’s position after a shaky start.
Rizwan, meanwhile, played a landmark knock, remaining unbeaten on 171 off 239 balls. His innings, featuring 11 fours and three sixes, was his first 150-plus score in international cricket. Rizwan’s performance, coupled with Shaheen Shah Afridi’s quick 29 off 24 balls, allowed Pakistan to declare their innings with a formidable total.
Earlier in the Test, Pakistan had struggled against Bangladesh’s pace attack on day one. The hosts lost three key wickets early on, with Abdullah Shafique (2), captain Shan Masood (6), and Babar Azam (0) all falling within the first 10 overs.
However, a vital 98-run partnership between Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel rescued Pakistan from early trouble. Ayub, making only his third Test appearance, scored a gritty 56 off 98 balls, including four boundaries and a six.
With the declaration, Pakistan set Bangladesh a challenging target, with the visitors now tasked with making significant progress on the third day. The Test match is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, with both teams keen to improve their standings in the points table.
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.
