RAWALPINDI: Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam fell just seven runs short of what could have been a hard-earned century, but his elegant innings, along with three other half-centuries, ensured that Bangladesh delivered a commendable resp­onse to Pakistan’s imposing first innings total of 448 on Friday.

By stumps on the third day at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stad­i­um, Bangladesh had amassed 316-5, trailing by 132 runs with five wickets still in hand, suggesting a determined fightback is on the cards for Saturday.

Shadman, who had battled through 183 deliveries and struck 12 boundaries, looked poised for a century but was dismissed for 93 just before tea, falling prey to Mohammad Ali. His painstaking innings, spanning over five hours, was a testament to his resilience, though he was ultimately undone by the fast bowler’s precision.

The afternoon saw Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das — who scored a brisk 52 from 58 balls — smash half-centuries, with the latter two forging a vital unbroken sixth-wicket stand worth 98 runs.

Their partnership, nurtured during the final session of an extended day’s play, capitalised on the weary Pakistani bowlers. Both batters struck aggressively, amassing 117 runs in the last 26 overs. The absence of a specialist spinner in the Pakistan line-up allowed the duo to exploit the conditions to their advantage.

At the start of the day, Shadman and Zakir Hasan had resumed their innings at 27-0. Despite facing a probing spell from the Pakistan pace attack, which tested their skills with speed and swing, they managed to hold their ground.

However, Zakir’s resistance was broken by Naseem Shah, with wicket-keeper Mohammad Riz­wan executing a superb one-handed catch. Zakir, having sco­red 12 runs, was dismissed at 31-1.

Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain, made a brief 16 before falling to Khurram Shahzad.

The departure of Najmul saw Mominul join the well-set Shadman, and the pair stitched a promising 94-run partnership. Mominul’s half-century came off 76 balls, featuring five boundaries before he was cleaned up by Khurram.

Earlier, part-time off-spinner Saim Ayub marked his first Test wicket by dismissing seasoned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who misjudged a cover drive off a turning delivery, presenting a straightforward catch to captain Shan Masood at extra cover.

Among the bowlers, Khurram claimed 2-47 from 19 overs, while Naseem (1-77 in 18 overs), Ali (1-42 in 15 overs), and Saim (1-23 in five overs) each secured a wicket.

In contrast, off-spinner Sal­m­an Ali Agha (53 runs in 15 overs) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (55 runs in 18 overs) were unable to make inroads.

“The match is even,” said Pak­i­stan’s assistant coach Azhar Mah­mood. “We were not disciplined in the last 12 overs but, still, if we get an 80-90 run lead then we can make a match out of it.”

Bangladesh’s Mominul belie­ved his team can win.

“Definitely, we believe in positive things,” he said. “The first session tomorrow will be crucial and if we don’t lose early wickets it will be better.

“I think spinners might get turn and bounce.”

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN (1st Innings) 448-6 decl (Mohammad Rizwan 171 not out, Saud Shakeel 141, Saim Ayub 56; Hasan Mahmud 2-70, Shoriful Islam 2-77)

BANGLADESH (1st innings, overnight 27-0):

Shadman Islam b Ali 93

Zakir Hasan c Rizwan b Naseem 12

Najmul Hossain b Khurram 16

Mominul Haque b Khurram 50

Mushfiqur Rahim not out 55

Shakib Al Hasan c Shan b Saim 15

Litton Das not out 52

EXTRAS (LB-19, NB-3, W-1) 23

TOTAL (for five wickets, 92 overs) 316

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-31 (Zakir), 2-53 (Najmul), 3-147 (Mominul), 4-199 (Shadman), 5-218 (Shakib)

STILL TO BAT: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

BOWLING: Shaheen 18-3-55-0, Naseem 20-4-77-1 (1nb), Khurram 19-3-47-2 (1nb), Ali 15-2-42-1 (1w, 1nb), Salman 15-1-53-0. Saim 5-1-23-1

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2024