Rizwan and Saud’s Partnership Powers Pakistan in Rawalpindi
Rizwan and Saud’s Partnership Powers Pakistan in Rawalpindi: In a dominant display of batting, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel forged a mammoth 240-run partnership for the fifth wicket, placing Pakistan firmly in control against Bangladesh on the second day of the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Resuming play at 158 for four, Pakistan was in a precarious position. However, Rizwan, who started the day at 24, and Shakeel, who was unbeaten on 57, turned the tide in favor of the home side. Rizwan remained unbeaten with a career-best 171, while Shakeel contributed a crucial 141 before being dismissed, as Pakistan declared their first innings at 448 for six.
At the close of play on an extended day, Bangladesh responded cautiously, reaching 27 without loss in 12 overs.
Rizwan and Shakeel Shine
This innings marked the third Test century for both Rizwan and Shakeel. Rizwan, playing his 31st Test, displayed a masterclass of patience and aggression. His 239-ball innings included 11 fours and three sixes, marking his second century at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. His previous best was also against South Africa at this venue, with his third century coming against Australia in Karachi.
Shakeel, playing his 11th Test, also reached his third century, his first in Rawalpindi. His previous hundreds were in Karachi (125 not out) and Galle (208 not out). Shakeel’s innings spanned 261 balls and included nine boundaries, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable middle-order batsman.
Both batsmen faced challenges during their innings. Rizwan was dropped twice, capitalizing on these chances to play a defining knock. Shakeel survived a close run-out but was eventually stumped off the bowling of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, giving wicketkeeper Litton Das his third dismissal of the innings.
Pakistan’s Declaration and Bangladesh’s Response
After Shakeel’s dismissal, Rizwan continued to anchor the innings, forming a 44-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha (19) for the sixth wicket and an unbroken 50-run stand with Shaheen Shah Afridi, who contributed a quickfire 29 not out off 24 balls, including a four and two sixes.
Bangladesh’s bowlers toiled hard on a wicket that continued to assist the fast bowlers but found little reward. Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam were the pick of the bowlers, each claiming two wickets, with figures of two for 70 and two for 77, respectively. However, they were unable to break the Rizwan-Shakeel stand that proved to be the backbone of Pakistan’s innings.
With Pakistan declaring at 448 for six, the pressure now shifts to Bangladesh’s batsmen to put up a solid reply on day three, with the pitch still offering something for the bowlers, an intriguing contest awaits as Bangladesh seeks to avoid a significant first-innings deficit.
Scores in Brief (Day 2 of 5):
Pakistan (1st innings): 448-6d (Mohammad Rizwan 171 not out, Saud Shakeel 141, Saim Ayub 56, Shaheen Shah Afridi 29 not out; Hasan Mahmud 2-70, Shoriful Islam 2-77)
Bangladesh: 27-0 in 12 overs
The stage is set for an exciting continuation of this Test match as both teams look to gain the upper hand in the first of this crucial series.
