Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes struck centuries in their record opening stand during the fourth day of the first test against Pakistan at Khulna.
Bangladesh ended day four of the first test against Pakistan on 273 for no loss as the record opening partnership between Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes brought down the massive deficit to only 23 runs at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna today.
Tamim was playing his natural aggressive game from the onset of Bangladesh’s second innings and was unbeaten at the crease with 138 runs from 183 balls (thirteen 4s, four 6s). Tamim’s superb knock gave him his seventh hundred of his test match career.
Imrul came out of his shell as his innings progressed and began going for the big shots after crossing fifty. After his half century, Imrul matched Tamim shot for shot and remained not out with 132 runs to his name. He faced 185 deliveries and struck fifteen fours and three lovely sixes in his highest score and third hundred in test matches.
The home crowd at Khulna was treated to a brilliant batting display from both the Bangladesh openers as the batters brought up the highest test match partnership by runs as well as for the first wicket during their team’s second innings of the first test.
Zulfiqar Babar was the most economical bowler for Pakistan as he conceded 60 runs in 16 overs. The rest of the bowlers for Pakistan were treated more harshly by Tamim and Imrul on the placid pitch at Khulna.
Earlier, Pakistan’s first innings folded at 628 runs shortly after Bangladesh stand-in captain Tamim took the third new ball for his team. Taijul Islam was the chief wrecker with six wickets for 163 runs in 46.4 overs. Shuvagata Hom picked up two wickets in his 34 overs giving away 120 runs. Mohammad Shahid and Shakib Al Hasan captured one wicket each.
Coming out to bat in day four Pakistan’s Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed mixed caution with aggression as they kept the Bangladesh bowlers at throughout the first session. Their partnership of 126 runs extended Pakistan’s lead past 200.
Sarfraz became Mohammad Shahid’s maiden test wicket when he charged at the bolwer and was caught at mid-on by substitute Litton Das. Asad was Shakib’s first and only wicket in the first innings as he was beaten on the flight and offered a simple return catch to the ace allrounder.
Asad scored 83 runs from 158 balls, and smacked six fours in his innings. Sarfaraz was far more belligerent than his partner as he smashed 82 runs from 88 balls with five fours and two sixes to his name.
Mohammad Hafeez’s splendid knock of 224 was the highest score for Pakistan in this test match. Nearly all their top and middle order batsmen contributed with scores of over fifty and made the Bangladesh bowlers look innocuous on the batting friendly wicket at Khulna.
Source: The Daily Star