A record opening stand between Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes in the second innings of the first Test of a two match series against touring Pakistan in Khulna led Bangladesh to secure first draw against their rivals. Bangladesh’s maiden Test draw against Pakistan came in the ninth match. Pakistan won all the eight Test matches they earlier played against Bangladesh. Bangladesh, winning toss at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, chose to bat first and put 332 runs on the scoreboard in the first innings. In reply, Pakistan scored massive 628, taking a lead of 296 runs in the first innings. Bangladesh came back well in the second innings with record breaking partnership between Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes and scored 555 for 6 wickets in 136 overs when the match was called drawn. Tamim and Imrul broke the 55-year old record of opening stand of the third innings of Test cricket between England’s Colin Cowdrey and Geoff Pullar’s 290 against South Africa in 1960. Tamim and Imrul’s record opening partnership ended at 312 as Imrul Kayes was caught by the substitute fielder off Zulfiqar Babar in the 76th over. Imrul scored 150 runs off 240 balls hitting 16 fours and 3 sixes. This is the highest Test score for the 28-year left-hand batsman. This is also the highest Test partnership for Bangladesh in any wicket, 300 plus first time ever for the country. Tamim Iqbal then made maiden Test double hundred. Tamim reached his double hundred with a six off Junaid Khan in the 94th over in the second session of the day. The 26-year left-hand batsman played only 264 balls to complete his first Test double century hitting 17 fours and 7 sixes. He was stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed off Mohammad Hafeez after scoring 206 runs. Mominul Haque only added 21 runs while Mahmudullah 40. However, skipper Mushfiqur Rahim went for a duck. Country’s ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan then reached his 18th Test fifty just before the last drink. He played only 76 balls and hit 5 fours to reach half-century. Soumya Sarkar added 33 runs. Shakib and Soumya contributed 60 runs in the 6th wicket partnership. Shakib Al Hasan was unbeaten on 76 runs while Shuvagata Hom on 20 when draw called yet 15 overs left. Pakistan Mohammad Hafeez and Junaid Khan took two wickets each in the second innings. Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal was awarded Player of the Match for his record-breaking and match saving innings.
