Pakistan survived an early scare to reach 158/4 at stumps on Day 1 in the first Test against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi. Bangladesh ran through the Pakistan top order, reducing Pakistan to 16/3, as star batter Babar Azam got out for a two-ball duck. It was 22-year-old Saim Ayub who steadied the ship with a gritty half-century. Alongside him, Saud Shakeel also notched up a half-century. Bangladesh are aiming to beat Pakistan for the first time ever in Test cricket, with the current head-to-head record standing 12-1-0.
Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam gave Bangladesh the early advantage, but the fourth-wicket pair from the hosts dragged Pakistan back. Left-handed opener Ayub, who hit 56, and vice-captain Shakeel, unbeaten on 57, shared an aggressive 98-run fourth wicket stand in almost two hours before seamer Hasan Mahmud (2-33) broke through in the final session.
A Difficult Start for Pakistan
Bangladesh pace bowlers made full use of favorable conditions on a greenish wicket before half centuries from Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel rescued Pakistan to 158-4 on the opening day of the first Test on Wednesday. The tourists had Pakistan on the mat at 16-3 after wet patches on the outfield of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from early morning rain had delayed the toss for four-and-a-half hours.
After the wet patches dried up in bright sunshine, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the all-important toss and his decision to field brought Bangladesh early success as the fast bowlers swung the ball well on a damp wicket. Hasan lured Abdullah Shafique (2) to go for an early ambitious drive and Zakir Hasan took a spectacular acrobatic catch in the gully while diving full length to his right side. Pakistan skipper Shan Masood fell to a contentious caught behind decision from television umpire Darren Gough as left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam’s (2-30) delivery jagged back into the left-hander. Gough ruled in Bangladesh’s favor after the tourists went for a TV referral of on-field decision of not out. Masood argued with on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough before walking off in disbelief.
Ayub and Shakeel Rescued Pakistan
Pakistan’s former all-format captain Babar Azam’s struggle in red-ball cricket continued for the seventh successive test match as he tried to flick Shoriful down the leg side and was brilliantly snapped by wicketkeeper Litton Das without scoring. Ayub and Shakeel then staged a good recovery and negated the off-spin of Mehidy Hasan Miraz with sweep shots and the pace of tall Nahid Rana before Hasan broke through.
The two-Test series is part of ICC World Test Championship in which Pakistan are ranked sixth and Bangladesh eighth, just ahead of last-placed West Indies. Rawalpindi will also host the second Test starting after the Pakistan Cricket Board moved the game due to construction work going on at the National Bank Stadium ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy.
Pakistan's Day One Recovery
Pakistan found themselves in a challenging position, scoring 81 runs for the loss of 3 wickets by tea, on the first day of the Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test match. Opener Saim Ayub was not out at the crease having scored a half century off 78 deliveries. Saud Shakeel was also not out at 33 runds of 43 balls.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bowl first in a match that started late due to rain. Pakistan's openers struggled against the Bangladeshi attack, with Abdullah Shafique getting out for just 2 runs and captain Shan Masood managing only 6 runs. The situation worsened when Babar Azam was dismissed without scoring, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position. Saud Shakeel and young talent Saim Ayub managed to stabilize the innings, remaining unbeaten at 28 and 42 runs, respectively. For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets, while Hasan Mahmud took one.
Only 48 overs were bowled on the first day due to the delayed start, leaving both teams eager to make the most of the remaining days.
