Bangladesh fight back into match after Pakistan's steady start to second Test

Bangladesh displayed a good performance on the field restricted Pakistan to 243-7 in the final match of the two-Test series between the two countrries

Captain Shaan Masood and Saim Ayub scored half-centuries, providing Pakistan with a stable start after opener Abdullah Shafique was bowled out early by Taskin Ahmed for a duck.

Pakistan then slumped from 106-1 to 211-6 as none of the batsmen managed to capitalise on their starts and build their innings.

Captain Shaan Masood was caught behind of Hasan Miraz's delivery after scoring 57 of 69 deliveries. Saim Ayub was stumped by Litton Das after scoring 58 of 110 deliveries.

Babar Azam was LBW by Shakib Al Hasan as the ball hit his front pad. The umpire ruled it as out for LBW after scoring 31 of 77 deliveries.

Saud Shakeel was also bowled out by Taskin Ahmed after scoring 16 of 28 deliveries.

Nahid then took his first wicket of the innings after Rizwan played a shot, edging the ball directly to the first slip fielder after scoring 29 of 63 deliveries.

Miraz also got Khurram Shahzad's wicket who was caught by Shakib ul Hasan at short cover.

Salman Agha and Mohammad Ali stood agt the crease.

In the match being played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto earlier won the toss and chose to field first, aiming to dismiss Pakistan quickly and gain an early advantage.

Bangladesh, having secured a historic 10-wicket victory in the first Test, leads the series 1-0.

On this occasion, Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood expressed eagerness for victory. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have been rested, with Abrar Ahmed and Mir Hamza included in the playing eleven.

Bangladesh made history by defeating Pakistan by 10 wickets in the Rawalpindi Test, with Pakistan being bowled out for just 146 runs in their second innings on the final day.

Pakistan played four pacers in the first Test - Shaheen, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali and Naseem Shah - as the Shan Masood-led unit wanted to go with a pace attack, but things did not go their way as they were dominated by the Bangladesh batting lineup.

It is believed inside the dressing room that the pacers could not take advantage of the grass on the pitch and their declining pace also became a matter of discussion.

The latest defeat to Bangladesh adds to this string of failures, leaving fans and former players deeply concerned about the future of Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan’s last victory in a home Test was in February 2021 against South Africa. Since then, they have endured a series of disappointing results, including a series loss to Australia, a whitewash at the hands of England, and a drawn series against New Zealand.

Pakistan Squad:

Captain Shan Masood, Vice-Captain Saud Shakeel, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed, and Mir Hamza.

Bangladesh Squad:

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Naeem Hasan.