In the ongoing second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh’s spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered a standout performance, taking five wickets to bowl out Pakistan for 274 on day two. After rain washed out the first day’s play, Bangladesh capitalized on the conditions, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5-61) and pacer Taskin Ahmed (3-57) leading the charge against the Pakistani batting lineup.
Taskin Ahmed made an immediate impact by dismissing Abdullah Shafique with a swinging delivery in the very first over, after Pakistan had opted to bat first. Despite the early loss, Pakistan recovered to reach 99-1 by lunch, thanks to a solid 107-run partnership between Shan Masood and Saim Ayub. Masood, who scored his 10th Test half-century, was the backbone of Pakistan’s innings before being trapped lbw by Miraz for 57 soon after the break.
Saim Ayub, who scored 58, was stumped after missing the line of a flighted delivery from Miraz, and Saud Shakeel was bowled by Taskin after being dropped at slip earlier in his innings. Pakistan’s middle order struggled against the persistent Bangladesh attack, with key players like Babar Azam (31) and Mohammad Rizwan (29) failing to make substantial contributions.
Salman Ali Agha provided some resistance with a half-century but fell for 54, leaving Pakistan in trouble at 211-6. The tail was quickly wrapped up by the Bangladeshi bowlers, with Miraz stumping Abrar Ahmed to complete his five-wicket haul, ending Pakistan’s innings at 274.
In response, Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan safely negotiated the few overs before stumps, reaching 10-0. Bangladesh will be looking to build on their strong start and aim for a series sweep, having won the first Test by 10 wickets at the same venue.
The match saw some significant changes in the Pakistan squad, with Shaheen Shah Afridi being released from the squad and Naseem Shah also missing out, replaced by Abrar Ahmed and Mir Hamza. As the game progresses, Bangladesh will look to capitalize on their early momentum, while Pakistan will need to fight back strongly to avoid a series defeat.
