BANGLADESH V PAKISTAN, 2ND TEST, MIRPUR Pakistan need nine wickets to win match and series

Bangladesh face a tall order of batting for two days to save the 2nd test match after Pakistan gave them a target of 550 runs at Mirpur today.

Tamim was unbeaten on 32 runs from 42 balls (six 4s) with Mominul Haque on 15 when umpires called stumps on the third day.

After a promising partnership of 48 runs with Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes became the first Bangladeshi batsman to fall in their second innings.

Yasir Shah’s tossed up delivery outside off turned viciously and went through the bat-pad gap of Imrul to hit the middle stump. Imrul scored 16 runs with three boundaries to his name.

Earlier, Pakistan declared their second innings at 195/6 after Misbah ul Haq was dismissed by Mahmudullah for 82 runs.

Misbah’s belligerent knock came from only 72 balls and he struck nine 4s and three 6s before he returned to the pavilion. Incidentally, he was the top-scorer for his team in their second outing.

Shuvagata Hom got the fifth wicket for Tigers when he sent back the centurion from first innings Asad Shafiq for 15 runs.

Asad tried to pull a ball that turned viciously and kept low, and ultimately knocked back his leg stump.

Taijul Islam got the big wicket of Younis Khan against the run of play in the last session of the third day.

Younis scored 39 runs from 55 balls with four boundaries before he was brilliantly caught and bowled by the Bangladeshi spinner.

Pakistan’s most experienced batsman was beaten in the flight and tried to check his shot but only managed to lob the ball back to the bowler.

Double centurion from first innings Azhar Ali was picked up for 25 runs by Soumya Sarkar as he lost his wicket in search for quick runs.

Soumya bowled a back of a length delivery outside off which Azhar guided it straight into the hands of Shuvagata Hom at gully.

Mohammad Shahid gave Bangladesh their second breakthrough by removing Pakistan opener Sami Aslam for eight runs.

Sami was squared up by a fullish delivery outside the off-stump, poked feebly and edged it to Mahmudullah in the slips.

Pakistan lost their opener Mohammad Hafeez for a duck early in their second innings.

Hafeez was enticed by Mohammad Shahid’s fullish delivery that swung away slightly. He went for an away-from-the-body drive but only managed to nick the ball into the hands of Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps.

In Bangladesh’s first innings, Mohammad Shahid was the last man to go when his leading edge lobbed the delivery from Yasir Shah to silly-point.

In the context of the match, Shahid’s stay at the wicket was crucial as the last wicket stand with Shakib Al Hasan produced 63 runs, of which only one was scored by the Bangladeshi pacer.

Shakib was the highest scorer for Bangladesh with his unbeaten knock of 89 runs from 91 balls. With wickets falling around him, Bangladesh’s top allrounder decided to take matters into his own hands and began belting Pakistani bowlers all around the park.

He smashed 14 4s and two 6s before he ran out of partners.

Yasir Shah and Wahab Riaz were the most successful bowlers for Pakistan as they captured three wickets each. Junaid Khan picked two while Mohammad Hafeez had one wicket to his name.

Taijul Islam was the eighth wicket to fall for Bangladesh as his agricultural slog across the line sent him back to the pavilion after he scored 15 runs.

Mohammad Hafeez pushed through a straight delivery that Taijul tried to swipe with all his might but failed connect and the ball clattered on to the off-stump.

Wahab Riaz rocked Bangladesh again in the first ball of his third over by sending back Shuvagata Hom for a golden duck to the delight of his teammates. Shuvagata tried to fend away a short ball but only managed to pop it straight to gully for a simple catch

Pakistan’s bowling spearhead Wahab rattled the Bangladesh lower order with his pace as he produced a wicket in his second over of the day by dismissing Soumya Sarkar for three runs.

After a barrage of short delivering, Soumya fell for the length ball and was caught by Azhar Ali at short cover. Soumya was backing away when he drove the ball in the air but failed to clear the fielder.

Pakistan stamped their authority early on the third day of the 2nd test match with quick wickets to leave Bangladesh reeling in their first innings.

Bangladesh Team
Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain and Wicketkeeper), Soumya Sarkar, Shuvagata Hom, Taijul Islam, Shahadat Hossain and Mohammad Shahid

Pakistan Team
Sami Aslam, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (Wicketkeeper), Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Junaid Khan and Imran Khan