The third day of the first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Rawalpindi has begun with the visitors continuing their batting innings. Bangladesh’s batting line-up faced early setbacks, losing two crucial wickets by the time their score reached 53 runs. Najmul Hossain Shanto, who managed to score 16 runs, was dismissed by Khurram Shahzad, while Zakir Hasan, who contributed 12 runs, was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off Naseem Shah’s bowling.
Dominance by Pakistan
The second day of play saw Pakistan asserting dominance, having resumed their innings at 158/4. The day was highlighted by impressive performances from Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, both of whom reached their third Test centuries. Rizwan remained not out with a remarkable 171 runs, showcasing resilience and skill, while Saud Shakeel played a brilliant knock of 141 runs.
This strong batting performance led Pakistan to declare their first innings at a commanding 448/6 after 141 overs. This declaration reflected their confidence in the bowling attack and the desire to push for a result. Shaheen Afridi, contributing with the bat as well, remained unbeaten on 29 runs, further supporting Pakistan’s total.
For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud were the pick of the bowlers, each taking two wickets. However, the visitors were unable to capitalize on the early breakthroughs they had achieved on Day 1.
In response, Bangladesh ended Day 2 at 27/0, with openers Zakir Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto managing to survive the late assault by the Pakistani bowlers.
Pakistan’s Early Setbacks
The match began with Bangladesh winning the toss and opting to bowl, a decision that initially paid off as they exploited the conditions with the new ball. Pakistan’s top order struggled, with Abdullah Shafique (2), Shan Masood (6), and captain Babar Azam (0) all falling cheaply, leaving Pakistan reeling at 14/3.
However, the innings was stabilized by young Saeem Ayub and Saud Shakeel. Ayub’s half-century (56 runs) provided much-needed stability before Rizwan and Shakeel took over the reins on Day 2.
Pakistan in the Driving Seat
As the match progresses, Pakistan’s strong first innings total and early breakthroughs have placed them in a commanding position. With Bangladesh trailing by a significant margin, the onus is on their middle order to build partnerships and prevent Pakistan from running away with the game.
Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Khurram Shahzad and Naseem Shah, have already shown their ability to exploit the conditions, and with the pitch likely to deteriorate further, the challenge for Bangladesh is immense.
If Pakistan can continue to apply pressure, they might look to enforce a follow-on or set a daunting target for Bangladesh in the second innings. The next few sessions will be crucial in determining the outcome of this match.
Pakistan’s commanding position in the first Test against Bangladesh reflects a balanced team effort, with key contributions from both their batsmen and bowlers. As the match moves into its latter stages, Pakistan will aim to maintain their grip and secure a comprehensive victory, while Bangladesh will need to muster resilience and fight back to stay in the game. The third day’s play will be critical in shaping the final outcome of this encounter at Rawalpindi.
