Pakistan endured a nightmarish start to their opening Test against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The hosts found themselves in deep trouble, losing three key wickets within the first 50 deliveries after being sent in to bat. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam, capitalized on a pitch that offered assistance to the seamers, leaving Pakistan reeling early in the match.
The first breakthrough for Bangladesh came when Hasan Mahmud dismissed opener Abdullah Shafique for just two runs off 14 balls. Hasan, who bowled with pace and precision, managed to induce a tentative shot from Shafique, which resulted in an easy catch to the slips. This early strike set the tone for what would be a difficult morning for Pakistan.
The real damage, however, was inflicted by Shoriful Islam, who struck twice in the span of three deliveries. His first victim was Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, who was visibly frustrated by his dismissal. In the seventh over of the innings, Islam bowled a delivery that was short of a length and nipped back in from outside off-stump. Masood, trying to defend on the front foot, was beaten by the movement, and the ball was caught by the wicketkeeper, Litton Das. Despite the appeal from Bangladesh, the on-field umpire initially ruled in favor of the hosts. However, after a review, UltraEdge technology showed a spike as the ball passed the bat before hitting the pads, leading the third umpire, Michael Gough, to overturn the decision. Masood, clearly unhappy, stormed towards the on-field umpires, disputing the decision before reluctantly leaving the field. His frustration continued in the dressing room, where he was seen reviewing the replay and discussing the decision with his teammates.
Just two deliveries later, Shoriful Islam delivered another blow to Pakistan by removing former captain Babar Azam for a duck. Babar, considered the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup, fell to a delivery that pitched on a good length and angled across him. He attempted to drive the ball on the up but only managed to edge it to the slips, where Mominul Haque took a sharp catch. This dismissal left Pakistan in dire straits, with the scoreboard reading 17 for 3.
Despite the early setbacks, Pakistan managed to recover somewhat, finishing the day on 158 for 4. Vice-captain Saud Shakeel led the fightback, playing a composed and resilient innings. Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57 off 92 deliveries, showcasing excellent technique and temperament under pressure. He was ably supported by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, who contributed a brisk 24 off 31 balls. Together, they added crucial runs to the total, stabilizing Pakistan’s innings after the top-order collapse.
Bangladesh’s decision to bowl first, taken by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto after winning the toss, paid off handsomely in the early stages of the match. The pitch at Rawalpindi offered significant assistance to the seamers, with good bounce and movement off the surface. Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam exploited these conditions expertly, putting Pakistan on the back foot from the outset.
Pakistan’s decision to field an all-pace attack, with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, and Mohammad Ali comprising the bowling unit, also indicated their awareness of the pitch’s characteristics. However, it was their batting lineup that was tested severely in the opening session.
As the day progressed, the pitch seemed to settle down slightly, allowing Pakistan’s middle-order to build a more solid foundation. Shakeel’s patient innings, combined with Rizwan’s counter-attacking approach, ensured that the hosts finished the day in a less precarious position. Nevertheless, with Bangladesh’s bowlers still holding the upper hand, Pakistan will need to bat with discipline and determination on the second day to avoid conceding a significant first-innings deficit.
The match remains finely poised, with Bangladesh having the early momentum but Pakistan showing signs of resilience. Much will depend on how the lower order contributes with the bat and how well Pakistan’s pace attack can utilize the conditions when it’s their turn to bowl. For now, Bangladesh’s bowlers have given their side a strong platform, while Pakistan will be hoping for a more substantial batting effort in the days to come.
