Bangladesh on the brink of a 2-0 series victory after Mahmud and Rana dismissed Pakistan for 172 on Day 4 of the 2nd Test
Sept. 2, 2024, 1:21 p.m.
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Rawalpindi: Rain interrupted Bangladesh's attempt at a clean sweep against Pakistan after young pace bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana decimated the hosts for 172 on Day 4 in the second Test on Monday.
Bangladesh had raced to 42-0 in seven overs before poor light, followed by rain, allowed only one over of play in the final session on Day 4. The tourists will need another 143 runs to achieve a rare Test series win away from home.
Advertisement Bangladesh has only won one bilateral Test series outside their home country - a victory against the West Indies in 2009 - but they won the first Test against Pakistan by 10 wickets for their first ever Test victory against them in 14 matches.
The 24-year-old Mahmud claimed 5-43 while 21-year-old Rana contributed 4-44 as Pakistan was bowled out half an hour before tea, giving them an overall lead of 184.
In overcast conditions, Bangladesh's openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam exhibited a quick scoring rate before rain intervened. Zakir remained unbeaten on 31 off 23 balls, which included two pulled sixes against fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, while Shadman Islam was not out on 9.
Litton Das's resolute century and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's impressive half-century allowed Pakistan a narrow first-innings lead of 12 runs after the visitors experienced a dramatic collapse to 26-6 on Day 3.
The Pakistani top order's persistent struggles in red-ball cricket have resulted in their team losing five of the last nine test matches at home. Their last victory came against South Africa in December 2021. The remaining four test matches ended in draws.
Babar Azam's (11) poor form in test matches extended to seven games when he was dismissed by Rana for the second time in the series as the tall fast bowler dismantled the top order by claiming three wickets in his initial three overs.
Advertisement Top-scorer Salman Ali Agha (47 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (43) spearheaded the recovery with a half-century partnership after Rana's quick bowling had reduced the home team to 81-6 in the first session. Mahmud then decimated the lower order.
Hasan Mahmud's five-wicket haul earns him a place on the Rawalpindi Honors Board 👏🇧🇩
Image: A Cricket match between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Hashtags: #Cricket #Bangladesh #PAKvBAN #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/XzyIvyWFZ1
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) September 2, 2024 Mahmud was a on a hat trick when he had Rizwan caught behind after the break and followed it up with another brilliant ball that found the outside edge of Mohammad Ali’s bat. But Salman added a vital 36 runs in the company of tailenders before Mahmud completed a five-for by claiming the last wicket.
Earlier in the session, Rana could have wrapped up the first session with four wickets, but Rizwan was dropped by the slip fielders. Rana rose to the occasion after Taskin provided the breakthrough, with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto diving low to his left and taking a two-handed catch to dismiss Saim Ayub for 20.
Advertisement Skipper Shan Masood hit four boundaries in his 28 runs before Pakistan's innings collapsed against Rana's pace. Masood and Saud Shakeel were both caught edging the ball, and Pakistan's top batsman Babar was caught at slip by Shadman after a difficult 18 balls. Shadman dropped a simple catch off the next ball, giving Rizwan a significant reprieve as Pakistan went to lunch at 117-6.
Babar Azam has been struggling to find his form, and it has been eight Test matches since he scored a half-century. His highest score during this period was 41 against Australia in Melbourne last year.
Both teams currently occupy the lower ranks of the World Test Championship, with Bangladesh holding the seventh position and Pakistan slightly ahead of last-placed West Indies.
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