Possible reprieve for Bangladesh: Ominous clouds threaten to undo Pakistan’s good work

Decision to not enforce the follow-on may prove costly as showers predicted.

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s decision to not enforce the follow-on against Bangladesh on day three can prove to be costly as it has left the result at the mercy of Bangladesh’s notorious weather with two days to go in Dhaka.

Hosts Bangladesh finished the day on 63-1 and require another 487 runs with nine wickets in hand. Though victory seems almost impossible for Bangladesh, they may be able to sneak a second unlikely draw as predictions of showers for the next few days in the country’s capitals gather strength.

Tamim Iqbal was unbeaten on a 42-ball 32, while Mominul Haque was with him on 15. The only wicket to fall for Bangladesh was that of Imrul Kayes, who was once again undone by a ripper from leg-spinner Yasir Shah on 16.

Bangladesh had resumed the day in deep trouble at 107-5 over in their first-innings. It took Pakistan just 19.4 overs – 118 balls – to wrap up Bangladesh’s innings as the hosts were bowled out for 207 in 47.3 overs. Shakib alHasan was the pick of the batsmen and continued to fight a lonely fight until he ran out of partners by the end.

Shakib remained unbeaten on 89 off just 91 balls, while Shahadat Hussain did not come out to bat because of an injury, which meant that the left-hander was left stranded in the middle and could not complete his century.

Wahab Riaz and Yasir picked up three wickets apiece while Junaid Khan and Muhammad Hafeez bagged two and one scalp respectively.

The decision to bat again from Pakistan received flak from critics and looked even more bizarre when openers Hafeez (naught) and Sami Aslam (eight) were dismissed by Muhammad Shahid early on.

Azhar Ali was also soon back in the hut after scoring 25, caught at gully while trying to cut Soumya Sarkar; handing the part-time medium-pacer his first-ever Test wicket in the process.

Senior pros Younus Khan and Misbahul Haq brought some stability, adding 58 runs, but could not kick on from there. Younus was dismissed after making 39, caught off a leading edge by Taijul Islam off his own bowling, while Asad Shafiq (15) was then bowled by the left-arm spinner.

Misbah’s quick-fire 72-ball 82 took Pakistan to 195-6 in 41.1 overs before Misbah declared after being dismissed by Mahmudullah. Sarfraz Ahmed was unbeaten on 18 runs off 14 balls upon declaration.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2015.

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