Photo: Collected
Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz caught Pakistan in spin-web to put Bangladesh in dominant position in the series-deciding second Test at Rawalpindi on Saturday (31 August).
After the first day was washed out due to persistent rain, Bangladesh took the control, thanks to Miraz who claimed 5-61 as Pakistan were wrapped up for 274.
Bangladesh then played two overs to remain unscathed, reaching 10 for no loss at stumps on Day 2. Shadman Islam was batting on 6 with Zakir Hasan yet to open the account.
Most of the Pakistani batters got the start but failed to carry on, leaving the side in limbo in the Test.
Taskin Ahmed, playing his first Test after June 2023, played a perfect foil to Miraz with 3-57.
Taskin who replaced fellow pacer Shoriful Islam, ruled out with groin injury, gave the side a breakthrough in his first over, after Bangladesh won the toss to put Pakistan into bat first.
The fast bowler moved one admirably to rattle the stump of Abdullah Shafique, giving him a six-ball-duck.
Saim Ayub and skipper Shan Masood played with precision to keep Bangladesh frustrated but Miraz appeared in the stage to trap Masood leg-before, ending the 107-run partnership. Masood made 57.
He then again struck to help Bangladesh hit back, taking the wicket of Saim Ayub for 58.
As the match tilted towards Bangladesh, they never let it go. While Miraz and Shakib gave the control, Taskin Ahmed was fast and furious, troubling the batters with searing pace and movement.
Taskin gave Bangladesh another crucial breakthrough when he got some movement to uproot the stump of Saud Shakil (31) and Shakib had Babar Azam leg-before for 31, with Pakistan at 179-5.
Young fast bowler Nahid Rana took the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan for 29 to bolster Bangladesh’s position.
Salman Agha resisted but Taskin got the better of him after he scored 54.
Miraz then cleaned up the tail to complete his 10th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Messenger/Sourov
