The first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has set the stage for an intriguing contest, with both teams displaying moments of brilliance. Pakistan, after being put to bat, managed to score 274 runs in their first innings, thanks to significant contributions from Saeem Ayub, Shaan Masood, and Salman Agha. However, it was Bangladesh’s Mehdi Hasan Miraz who stole the show with a five-wicket haul, putting his team in a strong position.
A Rain-Delayed Start and Pakistan’s Inning
The match was initially marred by rain, with the entire first day washed out, leaving both teams and fans anxious for play to commence. On the second day, after the skies cleared, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first, taking advantage of the overcast conditions that typically favor bowlers in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan’s innings began on a shaky note. Abdullah Shafiq, who opened the batting with Saeem Ayub, was dismissed for a duck in the very first over by Taskin Ahmed. This early blow set the tone for a day of mixed fortunes for Pakistan.
Resilient Partnerships Amidst Wickets
Despite the early loss, Saeem Ayub and captain Shaan Masood managed to stabilize the innings with a solid 107-run partnership. Both players showed grit and determination, capitalizing on loose deliveries while respecting the good ones. Shaan Masood, who played a captain’s knock, scored a well-compiled 57 before he was trapped lbw by Mehdi Hasan Miraz. His dismissal marked the beginning of Bangladesh’s dominance with the ball.
Saeem Ayub continued to fight, reaching his half-century but soon fell to Mehdi Hasan Miraz for 58. His wicket was a significant moment, as it broke Pakistan’s momentum and exposed the middle order.
Middle-Order Collapse
Following the departure of the openers, Pakistan’s middle order struggled to build on the solid foundation. Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan all got starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores. Saud Shakeel was bowled by Taskin Ahmed for 18, while Babar Azam, the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup, could only manage 31 before falling to Shakib Al Hasan.
Mohammad Rizwan, who has been in fine form lately, also couldn’t capitalize on his start. He was caught out for 29, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 211-6.
Lower-Order Resistance and Mehdi Hasan’s Dominance
As Pakistan’s innings progressed, the lower order attempted to add crucial runs. Salman Agha played a valiant knock of 54, displaying his ability to contribute under pressure. However, with wickets falling at regular intervals, his efforts were in vain. The tailenders, including Khurram Shehzad and Mohammad Ali, couldn’t provide much resistance, and Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 274.
Mehdi Hasan Miraz was the star of the show for Bangladesh, finishing with impressive figures of 5-74. His off-spin proved too much for Pakistan’s batsmen, particularly in the latter stages of the innings. Taskin Ahmed also played a crucial role, taking 3-60, while Naheed and Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with one wicket each.
Bangladesh’s Steady Start
In response, Bangladesh made a cautious start to their innings. By the end of the day, they had scored 10 runs without losing a wicket. Shadman Islam, who scored 6 runs, and Zakir Hasan, who remained on 0, ensured that Bangladesh ended the day on a steady note.
With Bangladesh trailing by 264 runs, the match is delicately poised. Pakistan will be hoping to capitalize on early morning conditions on Day 3 to make early inroads into Bangladesh’s batting lineup. However, with a lead in the series and a solid start to this match, Bangladesh will be confident in their ability to build a competitive first-innings total.
The Rawalpindi Test has already seen its fair share of excitement, and with three days of play remaining, both teams have everything to play for. Whether Pakistan can bounce back or Bangladesh will continue their dominance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the cricketing action is far from over.
