Bangladesh top order collapses in response to Pakistan's first innings score of 274

After scoring 274 in their first inning of the rain-hit match, Pakistan's bowlers got six wickets for just 26 runs

RAWALPINDI:

Bangladesh is struggling in the second Test match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium having scoring 75 runs for the loss of six wickets in their first innings.

Trailing by 199 runs, Bangladesh is responding to Pakistan’s 274-run total.

Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz were on the crease offering resistance to the Pakistani bowlers batting at 13 and 33 runs respectively.

On the third day, Pakistani bowlers staged a strong comeback. Khurram Shehzad and Mir Hamza were particularly effective, dismissing Bangladesh’s top five batsmen for just 26 runs.

Shadman Islam contributed 10 runs, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto 4, Mushfiqur Rahim 3, Shakib Al Hasan 2, while Zakir Hasan and Mominul Haque each scored 1 run before being out.

Khurram Shehzad claimed four wickets, and Mir Hamza took teo.

Earlier on the second day of the second Test, off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed five wickets to help Bangladesh skittle Pakistan for 274.

The 26-year-old recorded his 10th five-wicket haul in Tests to cap a good day for the tourists, who are looking to win only their third away series.

Bangladesh finished the day on 10-0 despite opener Shadman Islam being dropped by Saud Shakeel off Mir Hamza on the first ball of the innings.

But it was Bangladesh's bowlers who steered them to a strong position.

Mehidy dismissed Pakistan captain Shan Masood for 57 and opener Saim Ayub for 58 after the home team had been well-placed on 99-1 at lunch.

He produced match-turning figures of 4-21 in Bangladesh's 10-wicket win in the first Test a week ago, and snared Khurram Shahzad for 12 and then Mohammad Ali and Abrar Ahmed to end the innings with 5-61.

Mehidy was ably assisted by fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who took 3-57.

Agha Salman, dropped on nought by Zakir Hasan off Shakib Al Hasan, was Taskin's third wicket after scoring 54 with three boundaries and two sixes.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto earlier won the toss and chose to field first, hoping to dismiss Pakistan quickly. Pakistani captain Shan Masood, eager for a win, noted that Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were rested, with Abrar Ahmed and Mir Hamza included in the XI.

The first day’s play was abandoned due to persistent rain and a wet outfield, which also delayed the toss.

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, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Nayeem Hasan.