Mehidy’s Five-Fer and Taskin’s Comeback Rattle Pakistan to 274
Mehidy’s Five-Fer and Taskin’s Comeback Rattle Pakistan to 274: Pakistan’s top-order batters scored three half-centuries, yet the hosts could only manage a total of 274 all-out on the second day of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. After being put into bat, Pakistan’s innings folded in 85.1 overs, just 16 minutes before stumps on an extended day. By the end of play, Bangladesh had reached 10 without loss.
Opener Saim Ayub led Pakistan’s scoring with 58, while captain Shan Masood contributed 57, and Salman Ali Agha added 54. However, Pakistan squandered a strong position, losing their last nine wickets for just 167 runs after a solid start.
Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the chief architect of Pakistan’s collapse, securing his 10th five-wicket haul in 45 Tests. Mehidy finished with impressive figures of 5-61 from 22.1 overs. He was well-supported by Taskin Ahmed, who returned to the Test side with figures of 3-57 from 17 overs.
Mehidy began his spell by dismissing both Saim Ayub and Shan Masood, breaking their 107-run second-wicket partnership. He continued to torment the Pakistani batting lineup, claiming the wickets of Khurram Shahzad (12), Mohammad Ali (2), and Abrar Ahmed (9). Taskin, meanwhile, made early inroads by removing opener Abdullah Shafique on just the sixth ball of the match and later dismissing Saud Shakeel (16) and Salman Ali Agha.
Bangladesh’s other bowlers also played their part, with Shakib Al Hasan trapping Babar Azam (31) lbw and Nahid Rana removing Mohammad Rizwan (29) with a delivery that left the crowd stunned.
Pakistan’s innings showed glimpses of promise, particularly through the partnership between Saim and Shan. Saim’s 110-ball knock included four boundaries and two sixes, displaying a mix of defense and aggression. Shan, meanwhile, scored a brisk 57 from 69 balls, featuring two boundaries.
However, Pakistan’s middle order failed to capitalize on the platform set by their openers. Babar Azam, typically a mainstay in Pakistan’s lineup, struggled to find his rhythm, managing just 31 runs from 77 balls. His innings featured two boundaries but was marred by several inside edges that narrowly avoided the stumps.
Salman Ali Agha provided some resistance lower down the order with a 95-ball 54, which included three fours and two sixes. His innings gave Pakistan’s total some respectability after they had slumped to 179 for five. Salman survived two unsuccessful reviews and a dropped catch before eventually falling as the ninth batter, with the score at 274.
In response, Bangladesh reached 10 for no loss at stumps, with Shadman Islam (6) and Zakir Hasan (0) at the crease. Shadman was fortunate early on, surviving a chance off the first ball of the innings when Saud Shakeel dropped him at fifth slip off the bowling of Mir Hamza.
With three days remaining, Bangladesh will aim to build a substantial first-innings lead and put Pakistan under pressure on a pitch that is expected to deteriorate.
Scores in brief: Day 2 of 5
- Pakistan: 274 all-out in 85.1 overs (Saim Ayub 58, Shan Masood 57, Salman Ali Agha 54, Babar Azam 31, Mohammad Rizwan 29; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-61, Taskin Ahmed 3-57)
- Bangladesh: 10-0 in 2 overs (Shadman Islam 6*, Zakir Hasan 0*)
As the Test match progresses, both teams will be eager to seize control in what promises to be an intriguing contest at Rawalpindi.
