Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed five wickets to help Bangladesh skittle Pakistan for 274 on the second day of the second Test in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

Advertisement

The 26-year-old recorded his 10th five-wicket haul in Tests to cap a good day for the tourists, who are looking to win only their third away series.

Bangladesh finished the day on 10-0 despite opener Shadman Islam being dropped by Saud Shakeel off Mir Hamza on the first ball of the innings.

But it was Bangladesh's bowlers who steered them to a strong position.

Mehidy dismissed Pakistan captain Shan Masood for 57 and opener Saim Ayub for 58 after the home team had been well-placed on 99-1 at lunch.

Advertisement

He produced match-turning figures of 4-21 in Bangladesh's 10-wicket win in the first Test a week ago, and snared Khurram Shahzad for 12 and then Mohammad Ali and Abrar Ahmed to end the innings with 5-61.

Mehidy was ably assisted by fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who took 3-57.

Agha Salman, dropped on nought by Zakir Hasan off Shakib Al Hasan, was Taskin's third wicket after scoring 54 with three boundaries and two sixes.

Advertisement

Taskin said he was happy to be back in the longer format of Test cricket.

"It's a good sporting pitch and we need to bat the full day and get a good lead," Taskin said.

"It's great to be back in red ball (cricket) after one-and-a-half years. I enjoyed that and adapted well."

Advertisement

Salman said the pitch was better than the first Test track and should provide help for the spin bowlers.

"Unlike the first Test, this wicket has lively grass and I believe we have enough runs," he said.

Desperate for a win to level the two-match series, Pakistan started well but lost wickets at regular intervals to slump from a relatively strong 107-1 on a greenish but slow Rawalpindi pitch.

Advertisement

Taskin bowled first Test centurion Saud Shakeel for 16, the left-hander having already survived a dropped catch by Mehidy off Nahid Rana on one.

Babar Azam, Pakistan's best batter, fell leg-before to spinner Shakib Al Hasan for 31, having now gone 15 Test innings without a half-century.

The first day's play on Friday was washed out due to rain but Pakistan shone with solid batting in the first session.

 
Advertisement

Masood, under pressure after scores of six and 14 in the first Test, hit two boundaries before he fell leg-before to Mehidy in the third over after the lunch break.

Fellow left-hander Ayub was more aggressive, hitting two sixes and four boundaries before he was stumped by wicketkeeper Liton Das off Mehidy.

Taskin, brought in for the unfit Shoriful Islam as Bangladesh's only change, bowled Abdullah Shafique for nought off the sixth ball of the match.

Advertisement

Bangladesh's 10-wicket win in the first Test, also in Rawalpindi, was their first over Pakistan in 14 attempts.

Pakistan made two changes from the first Test, resting spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah to bring in pace bowler Hamza and spinner Abrar Ahmed.

Also Read: Funding For Test Cricket

Advertisement

The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship, with Pakistan now ranked eighth and Bangladesh seventh in the nine-team table.

About the Author

AFP News
Agence France-Presse (AFP) - Global News Leader AFP News: Agence France-Presse (AFP) is a world-renowned international news agency delivering real-time, accurate, and unbiased news coverage across politics, business, sports, technology, and global affairs. Founded in 1835, AFP operates in 151 countries, providing breaking news, investigative journalism, and multimedia content in multiple languages. With a vast network of correspondents, AFP ensures fast, verified, and high-quality news reporting, making it a trusted source for media, businesses, and governments worldwide. Stay updated with global headlines, exclusive reports, and in-depth analysis Read More
Latest Cricket News