Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s fifer to bowl out Pakistan for 274 on Day 2
Bangladesh Claws Back Control through Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s Fifer in Rawalpindi Test
The second Test of Bangladesh-Pakistan at Rawalpindi Stadium saw a dramatic turn of events on Day 2.
Read More: Bangladesh Ties Major Defence Deal with Pakistan
Day 2 resumed with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto electing to field first, and Pakistan did appear to be well on course for a big total-the half-centuries of Saim Ayub and Shan Masood saw them off to a fine start.
Little did they know, off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz had other plans.
Miraz Weaves Web, Blows Away Pakistan Batting
A spectacular bowling performance by Miraz yielded a well-deserved five-wicket haul, 5/61 – his tenth in Test cricket.
His spell of fire crushed the back of the Pakistani batting lineup, and hence they were restricted to only 274 runs in total.
The speed and flight variations of the off-spinner proved to be a bit too hard for the middle order; he sent the crucial batsmen to the pavilion one after another, namely Masood at 57 and Ayub at 58.
Support from Taskin Ahmed provides crucial support.
Off-spinner Miraz got ample support from pacer Taskin Ahmed, who chipped in with three important scalps – 3/57.
He gave the early inroads into the Pakistan batting line-up when he removed opener Abdullah Shafique cheaply. Later, he took out the menacing Saud Shakeel, who was starting to look threatening and accounted for 16 runs.
Pakistan let the good start slip away despite three half-centuries – Masood, Ayub, and Agha Salman (54).
After the lunch break, Pakistan’s batting fell like a deck of cards as Bangladeshi bowlers started to get a stranglehold on things.
The seniormost batters Babar Azam (31) and Mohammad Rizwan (29) got starts but failed to convert those into big ones to leave their side in a spot of bother.
Bangladesh Starts Cautiously
Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan saw the last overs of the day relatively patiently to fold the day at 10/0.
They face the uphill task yet to come with gaining a good enough lead and wiping out the deficit of 264 runs.
Highlights:
- The fifer of Mehidy Hasan Miraz was indeed the turning point of the match as it dislodged the Pakistan batting.
- Taskin Ahmed, with his early strikes and support with the new ball was essential for Bangladesh.
- Although the bright starts from the top order were presented, Pakistan’s middle-order collapse really cost them dearly.
- Bangladesh needs to bat quite nicely on Day 3 in order to take control of the Test match.
Note: The information above might not be accepted 100%. Please verify from your own sources. We will not be responsible for any kind of loss due to our content.
For more news, please visit Munafa Marketing.