RAWALPINDI: Bangladesh lost their eighth wicket on Day 3 of the second Test against Pakistan. Litton Das and Hasan Mahmud are currently unbeaten at the crease. The visitors began the day at 10/0, trailing by 264 runs.
Earlier on Saturday, Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets, helping Bangladesh bowl Pakistan out for 274. This was Mehidy’s 10th five-wicket haul in Tests. The tourists aim to win only their third away series.
Bangladesh’s innings faced early setbacks as Khurram Shahzad took charge with the ball. Shahzad dismissed openers Shadman Islam (10) and Zakir Hasan (1), followed by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (4) and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (2). This crucial breakthrough put the Bangladeshi side in a tough spot at 26-4.
The situation worsened as Momuinul Haque (1) and Mushfiqur Rahim (3) fell to Mir Hamza, leaving Bangladesh at a precarious 26-6.
Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz Resilience
Amidst the turmoil, Litton Das (83*) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (78) displayed remarkable resilience. Their partnership brought Bangladesh’s score to 191-6, thanks to a crucial 165-run stand that avoided the follow-on and provided hope for the visitors.
Miraz, however, fell to Shahzad, who also dismissed Taskin Ahmed (1), leaving the scoreboard at 193-8 as the players headed for Tea.
Bangladeshi Bowlers Shine on Day Two
On the second day, Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by spinner Miraz (5-61) and pacer Taskin Ahmed (3-57), put in a strong performance against the Pakistan side. Pakistan had been bowled out for 274 after the first day was washed out due to rain.
Taskin, replacing the injured Shoriful Islam, made an immediate impact by dismissing Abdullah Shafique with a swinging delivery in the day’s first over. Pakistan’s recovery saw them reach 99-1 at lunch, with Shan Masood completing his 10th half-century.
However, Masood’s innings ended shortly after lunch when he was dismissed lbw by Miraz for 57. With the second-wicket partnership broken, the Bangladesh bowlers gained momentum, though they missed additional opportunities due to some sloppy catching.
Pakistan’s Middle Order Struggles
Pakistan’s middle order also struggled. Saim Ayub was stumped for 58, and Babar Azam (31) and Mohammad Rizwan (29) were dismissed soon after. Salman Ali Agha managed to score 54 before falling, further adding to Pakistan’s challenges.
Playing XIs
- Pakistan XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, and Khurram Shahzad.
- Bangladesh XI: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.
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