Pakistan faced a challenging start on the first day of the opening Test against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, as their top order crumbled within the first ten overs. The match, which began under gloomy skies and was delayed due to a wet outfield, saw the hosts reduced to 158/4 by stumps. Despite the early setbacks, Pakistan’s middle order showed resilience, with Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel both scoring half-centuries to help their team recover from a precarious position.
The day began with Bangladesh winning the toss and electing to bowl first on a pitch that provided considerable assistance to their seamers. Pakistan’s openers struggled right from the start. Abdullah Shafique, who has been a mainstay at the top of the order, was the first to fall, managing only 2 runs before being dismissed by Hasan Mahmud. Shafique’s early departure set the tone for what would be a difficult morning for the home side.
Skipper Shan Masood, who came in at number three, did not fare much better. He was removed for just 6 runs by Shoriful Islam, who bowled with venom and accuracy, exploiting the conditions perfectly. Masood’s dismissal was particularly contentious, as he was visibly unhappy with the umpire’s decision after an edge was detected by UltraEdge technology. The review process seemed rushed, and Masood’s frustration was evident as he stormed off the field after a heated exchange with the on-field umpires.
The biggest blow to Pakistan’s innings came when Babar Azam, their star batsman and former captain, was dismissed for a duck. Babar’s wicket fell in the same over as Masood’s, with Shoriful Islam once again the bowler. Babar, who is often the linchpin of Pakistan’s batting lineup, edged a delivery to the slips where Mominul Haque took a sharp catch. His early dismissal left Pakistan teetering at 17/3, with Bangladesh’s bowlers firmly in control.
Despite this dreadful start, Pakistan managed to claw their way back into the match thanks to a determined partnership between Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel. Saim, playing in only his third Test innings, showed remarkable composure under pressure. He played with a mixture of caution and aggression, reaching his maiden Test fifty with a stylish drive through the covers. His innings of 56 off 98 balls, which included four boundaries and a six, was a crucial effort in stabilizing Pakistan’s innings after the early collapse.
Saud Shakeel, who has quickly established himself as a reliable middle-order batsman, continued to impress with his seventh half-century in just his 20th innings. His innings was characterized by solid defense and well-timed shots, as he took advantage of the improved batting conditions later in the day. Shakeel’s unbeaten 57 off 92 balls ensured that Pakistan did not completely capitulate after their poor start. He was well-supported by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, who contributed an important 24 not out off 31 deliveries, helping Pakistan reach a more respectable total by the end of the day.
Saim and Shakeel’s partnership of 98 runs was instrumental in bringing Pakistan back into the contest. The duo took the team’s total to 81/3 by tea, providing a platform for a potential recovery. However, Saim’s dismissal in the 32nd over, caught behind off the bowling of Hasan Mahmud, left Pakistan still vulnerable. Nonetheless, Shakeel and Rizwan managed to see out the remainder of the day without further loss.
Bangladesh’s bowlers, particularly Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud, were the standout performers of the day. Both pacers finished with two wickets each, making full use of the favorable conditions. Their disciplined bowling ensured that Pakistan never fully recovered from their early losses, and they will be looking to continue their dominance on the second day.
This Test marks the beginning of Pakistan’s red-ball campaign under new head coach Jason Gillespie. The decision to field an all-pace attack, with the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Khurram Shahzad, reflects the team’s strategy to exploit the conditions at Rawalpindi. However, it remains to be seen whether Pakistan’s bowlers can deliver a similar performance when it’s their turn to bowl.
Speaking to the media after the match, Bangladesh’s fast bowler Hasan Mahmud expressed confidence in his team’s position, stating that they aim to bowl out Pakistan for under 200 runs. He also addressed the decision not to include spinners in the lineup, attributing it to the management’s strategy based on the pitch conditions.
As the match progresses, both teams will be keen to capitalize on any opportunities. Pakistan, having endured a tough start, will hope for more contributions from their lower order and a strong performance from their bowlers. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will look to press their advantage and keep Pakistan under pressure. The second Test of the series is also scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi, adding further significance to the outcome of this match.
