Bangladesh eyes 185 runs target to complete series sweep over Pakistan

Pakistan Cricket Team suffered a batting slump in their second innings of the second Test match against Bangladesh, losing nine wickets for 145 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Starting the fourth day at 9 runs for 2 wickets, Pakistan lost opener Saim Ayub for 20 runs, caught off a delivery by Taskin Ahmed.

Captain Shan Masood also fell for 28 runs, with the total at 62.

Experienced batsman Babar Azam, who has not performed well throughout the series, was out for 11 runs.

Saud Shakeel attempted to play the ball while standing on the back foot.He edged the ball with his bat, and Litton Das caught it without difficulty for 2 runs for 10 deliveries.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, after scoring 43 runs, lost his resolve and was caught out on a delivery by Hasan Mahmood.

Muhammad Ali defended from the back foot, but the ball caught the edge and went straight to the second slip, where Shanto made no mistake in taking the catch and gone on a duck.

Abrar Ahmed's defensive shot off a short, bouncy ball caught the glove and was caught by Najmul Hossain Shanto, giving Nahid his fourth wicket after scoring 2 runs on 12 deliveries.

A back-of-a-length ball hit Mir Hamza's pad, leading to a loud appeal. After a review, the umpire upheld the decision, and Pakistan was bowled out for 172 runs.

Bangladesh has the opportunity to achieve a historic whitewash of Pakistan on home soil.

Bangladeshi bowler Hasan Mahmud took five wickets, while Taskin Ahmed claimed one wickets and Nahid Rana took 4 wickets.

At the end of the third day, Pakistan had lost 2 wickets for just 9 runs in their second innings. Abdullah Shafique was out for 3 runs and Khurram Shehzad for a duck. Pakistan held a 21-run lead over the visiting team.

Earlier, Bangladesh's first innings saw them scoring 262 runs in pursuit of Pakistan's 274, resulting in their dismissal.

For Pakistan, Khurram Shehzad took 6 wickets, while Mir Hamza and Salman Ali Agha each took 2 wickets.

On the third day, Pakistani bowlers made a remarkable comeback, with Khurram Shehzad and Mir Hamza aggressively dismissing Bangladesh's top 6 batsmen for just 26 runs.

From Bangladesh, Shadman Islam scored 10, captain Naimur Hasan Shanto 4, Mushfiqur Rahim 3, Shakib Al Hasan 2, and Zakir Hasan and Mominul Haque were out for 1 run each.

Later, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz formed a 7th-wicket partnership of 165 runs, with Mehidy scoring 78 and Litton Das 138, enabling Bangladesh's comeback in the match. Taskin Ahmed and Naeem Hasan were dismissed for 1 and 0 runs, respectively.

Khurram Shehzad took 6 wickets, and Mir Hamza took 2 for Pakistan.

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.