Mehidy’s fifer helps Bangladesh take command of second Test

RAWALPINDI: Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz bagged a five-wicket haul to help Bangladesh restrict Pakistan on 274 on day two of the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. 

Shadman Islam was batting on six and Zakir Hasan was on zero as Bangladesh reached 10 for no loss at stumps, seeking a strong reply in their bid to secure a 2-0 series victory after winning the first game at the same venue by 10 wickets.

Miraz (5-61) and Taskin Ahmed (3-57) were the picks of the Bangladesh bowlers as they claimed timely wickets and controlled the run-rate after the opening day was lost to incessant rain and a wet outfield.

Taskin, drafted into the Bangladesh side after fellow pace bowler Shoriful Islam sustained a groin injury, bowled Abdullah Shafique with a swinging delivery in the first over of the day after the tourists won the toss and opted to field.

Pakistan recovered from that early setback and got to 99-1 at lunch, with Masood completing his 10th half-century, but the skipper did not last long when play resumed and was dismissed lbw by Miraz for 57.

With the 107-run stand for the second wicket ended, the Bangladesh bowlers grew in confidence as the day wore on and could have had more wickets but for some sloppy catching.

Ayub was stumped for 58 a few overs later after coming down the track and missing the line of a flighted delivery from Miraz while Saud Shakeel, who was dropped at slip on one, perished after chopping one from Taskin back onto his stumps.

Having stemmed the flow of runs, Bangladesh removed the out-of-form Babar Azam for 31 before tea and Mohammad Rizwan for 29 shortly after to leave Pakistan in a spot of bother at 211-6.

Khurram Shahzad departed attempting a big shot and Mohammad Ali edged to slip as Miraz claimed his third and fourth victims late in the day before Ahmed removed Salman Agha for 54.

Miraz then had Abrar Ahmed stumped to cap off a fine bowling display for the tourists.

It is pertinent to mention here that the opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh was called off due to persistent rain here on Friday.

Overnight downpours delayed the toss and after more monsoon rains, umpires abandoned play for the day shortly after midday.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh XI: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

Pakistan XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad.