Bangladesh Cricket. (Source – Bangladesh Cricket)
Pakistan will look to avoid a first-ever Test series defeat against Bangladesh when the two Asian sides lock horns in the second and final Test, starting on Friday, August 30, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
The first Test was played at the same venue and it turned out to be an attritional affair for the first four days. Pakistan produced a solid batting display in the first innings as Mohammad Rizwan (171) and Saud Shakeel (141) slammed centuries to help the hosts declare on 448/6. They thought they had enough runs in the bank but Bangladesh came out with fire in their bellies and put on a stellar show.
Shadman Islam showed the way at the top of the order as he made a solid 93 while former Test skipper Mominul Haque and Litton Das also contributed with fluent half-centuries. However, the most significant partnership came between Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the right-handed batters accumulated 196 runs off 336 balls. The wicketkeeper-batter scored a stupendous 191 off 341 balls, while Mehidy contributed with a 179-ball 77. The visitors took a crucial 117-run first innings before Pakistan finished Day 4 at 23/1.
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With the pitch showing no considerable signs of deterioration, it felt that the match would end in a drab draw. However, the Bangladesh bowlers sprinkled life into the contest with a sensational effort on Day 5 as Pakistan lost nine wickets inside two sessions to get bowled out for 146. Mehidy starred with figures of 4/21, while Shakib chipped in with a three-for. Chasing a meagre 30-run target, openers Zakir Hasan and Shadnam Islam took their team home in just 6.3 overs. This turned out to be Bangladesh’s first Test win against Pakistan.
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s men will look to take confidence from the monumental victory and produce another impressive performance in the second Test. Meanwhile, Pakistan will have to focus on playing to their full potential in order to avoid an embarrassing series defeat.
Match Details:
Pakistan vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test
Venue
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
Date and Time
Friday-Tuesday, August 30 – September 3, 10:30 AM IST
Head-To-Head Records
14
Won by Pakistan
12
Won by Bangladesh
01
Draw
01
No Result
00
First-ever Fixture
Most-recent Fixture
PAK vs BAN Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan
One day ahead of the encounter, the hosts have named a 12-member side to choose from. However, a notable absentee from the side is Shaheen Shah Afridi, who failed to live up to his potential in the first encounter. Meanwhile, Abrar Ahmed and Mir Hamza are back in contention as the hosts look to add more spinners to their side after the four-man pace attack backfired in the first game.
Predicted XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan will be available to play for Bangladesh despite being named in a First Information Report (FIR) related to a murder case. He missed out with the bat in the first innings but bowled exceedingly well in Pakistan’s second innings. The visitors wouldn’t want to tinker with their side which gave them a historic win in the first Test.
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Predicted XI: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
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