Mushfiqur Rahim’s Heroics Propel Bangladesh to Third-Highest Away Total Against Pakistan
Mushfiqur Rahim’s Heroics Propel Bangladesh to Third-Highest Away Total Against Pakistan: Mushfiqur Rahim etched his name into the annals of Bangladesh cricket history with a spectacular innings of 191, though he heartbreakingly fell just shy of a double century on the penultimate day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. His monumental effort helped Bangladesh amass 565 in their first innings, marking their third-highest total in an away Test match.
Starting the fourth day on 55, Mushfiqur, alongside his overnight partner Litton Das, began the day cautiously, knowing the importance of their partnership in narrowing Pakistan’s substantial first-innings lead of 448 for six declared. Despite an early breakthrough from Pakistan’s pace attack, with Naseem Shah dismissing Litton Das for 56, Mushfiqur remained resolute.
Mushfiqur’s innings was punctuated by a crucial DRS reprieve when he was on 59, allowing him to continue his marathon stay at the crease. Displaying immense patience and skill, Mushfiqur reached his 11th Test century off 200 balls, becoming Bangladesh’s second most prolific century-maker after Mominul Haque.
The 37-year-old batter found a reliable partner in Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Together, they compiled a record-breaking 196-run stand for the seventh wicket, the highest against Pakistan, surpassing a 48-year-old record set by New Zealand’s Warren Lees and Sir Richard Hadlee in Karachi in 1976. Mehidy played a valuable supporting role, scoring 77 off 179 balls before falling to Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Mushfiqur’s marathon innings, which spanned over eight hours and 42 minutes, ended when he was caught behind off Mohammad Ali, becoming only the second Bangladesh batter to be dismissed in the 190s, following Mohammad Ashraful’s 190 against Sri Lanka in 2007.
Pakistan’s bowlers, who initially found success early on the fourth day, were made to toil hard by Bangladesh’s lower order. Shaheen Shah Afridi, celebrating the birth of his first child, and Naseem Shah led the charge for Pakistan, with both bowlers finishing with three wickets each. Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad chipped in with two wickets apiece, while Salman Ali Agha bowled 41 overs without success, despite creating several chances.
In reply, Pakistan started their second innings trailing by 117 runs. However, they lost an early wicket in Saim Ayub, who fell to Shoriful Islam for one. By the close of play on day four, Pakistan had reached 23 for one, with Abdullah Shafique (12) and captain Shan Masood (nine) unbeaten at the crease.
As the final day approaches, Pakistan will look to steady their innings and push for a result, while Bangladesh will be hopeful of early breakthroughs to keep their chances alive in what has been an enthralling Test match.
Scores in Brief (Day 4 of 5):
Pakistan 1st innings: 448-6d (Mohammad Rizwan 171*, Saud Shakeel 141, Saim Ayub 56; Hasan Mahmud 2-70, Shoriful Islam 2-77)
Bangladesh 1st innings: 565 all out (Mushfiqur Rahim 191, Shadman Islam 93, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 77, Litton Das 56, Mominul Haque 50; Naseem Shah 3-93, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-88, Mohammad Ali 2-88)
Pakistan 2nd innings: 23-1 (Abdullah Shafique 12*, Shan Masood 9*; Shoriful Islam 1-6)
