In the first Test match against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam showcased an impressive display of batting, falling just seven runs short of a hundred. His determined 93 runs off 183 balls played a crucial role in guiding Bangladesh to a strong position of 316-5 by the end of day three.
Shadman’s resilient innings has bolstered Bangladesh’s chances of salvaging a draw or even securing their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan in their 14th encounter. His partnership with veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who remained unbeaten at 55, and Litton Das, who scored an unbeaten 52, contributed significantly to Bangladesh’s progress. The duo added a solid 98 runs for the sixth wicket, propelling the team’s total.
Despite trailing Pakistan’s first-innings total of 448-6 declared by 132 runs with five wickets in hand, Bangladesh’s commendable performance has thwarted Pakistan’s hopes of establishing a substantial lead. The resilience displayed by Rahim and Das further exemplified Bangladesh’s determination, with both batsmen reaching significant milestones during their innings.
However, Shadman’s dismissal just before tea, after a valiant effort nearing his second century, and Shakib Al Hasan’s early departure posed significant challenges for Bangladesh. Nonetheless, the team’s fighting spirit was evident throughout the day’s play, with notable contributions from various players.
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The second and final Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi from August 30 as part of the World Test Championship’s third cycle (2023-2025).
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
