Agency :
Mehidy Hasan Miraz took his 10th Test fifer as Pakistan all out for 274 and Bangladesh finished 10 for not at day two stumps in the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, on Saturday.
Pakistan’s batting lineup was depleted by Taskin and Miraz’s combined attack, with each taking two wickets for Bangladesh. Mohammad Rizwan (18) and Salman Agha (0) were unbeaten on the crease at the end of the second session.
Meanwhile, Shakib al Hasan scalped Babar Azam who struggled to convert his start into a big score, getting trapped lbw for 31 off 77 deliveries. Saud Shakeel contributed with 16 runs but was bowled by Taskin as Pakistan’s middle order wobbled.
Pakistan were steady until Miraz spin a web to bring the Tigers back into the game, trapped Shan Masood for an LBW on 57 runs and delivered the long-awaited breakthrough. Masood opted for a review, but the decision stayed with the Tigers, showing the ball hitting the middle-leg-stump.
Miraz struck twice as six overs later he got rid of Saim Ayub when he tried to play down the track but got stumped behind the stumps by the wicket-keeper. Ayub departed on 58 runs facing 110 balls aided by four boundaries and two sixes.
After being asked to bat first, the hosts were tied down by some controlled bowling by Bangladesh pacers. Captain Shan Masood and Saim Ayub led Pakistan’s redemption following the early dismissal of opener Abdullah Shafique (0) as Taskin Ahmed made a strong return to the Test format by taking a crucial wicket in the very first over.
Taskin was included in the playing XI, substituting Shoriful, who expressed discomfort with a groin injury. Taskin had been sidelined from the Test format since last year’s Afghanistan series due to workload management.