In first of 2-match Test series against Bangladesh, Pakistan faces a defeat by 10 wickets. It was Pakistan first defeat against Bangladesh in this format.
In the ongoing World Test Championship, Pakistan hosted Bangladesh for a 2-matches test series. In the opening match at Rawalpindi Stadium, Bangladesh invited Pakistan for early batting after winning the toss. After a typical start of the innings, Muhammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel built a long partnership. Saud Shakeel 141 and Muhammad Rizwan 171* helped Pakistan reaching 448-6 score in 2 days. Saim Ayub scored a fifty and Babar Azam got a duck.
Pakistan decided to declare the innings and provided the last session of 2nd day to the Bangladesh for batting. This decision later haunted Pakistan a lot. Bangladesh had a slow start but Mushfiqur Rahim‘s 191 turned the table. Shadman Islam (93), Mominul Haque (50), Liton Das 56), Mahidy Hasan Miraz‘s (77) helped Bangladesh reach a grand total 565-10.
Pakistan was trial by 117 runs. Pakistan still had match in its hand since 2 days were remaining and it was a batting friendly pitch. But Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled badly. Only Muhammad Rizwan could survive longer and score a fifty. Pakistan got all out after scoring just 146 runs giving a target of just 30 runs which Bangladesh chased with a little effort and clinched the victory in style. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took 4 wickets while Shakib Al Hasan managed to take 3 players down.
Pakistan had a decent start of this tournament with a 2-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka. But then, Babar was replaced with Shan Masood as a captain who led Pakistan against England and this time against Bangladesh. Pakistan lost all 4 matches with getting a penalty as well.
What went wrong with Pakistan?
- Pakistan declared first innings earlier despite knowing that it was batting friendly pitch and could favor Bangladesh.
- Pakistan went with all pacers and later used unregular bowlers causing a huge leakage of runs. While Bangladesh’s top wicket-takers were spinners.
- Captain Shan Masood himself could not lead the team from front. He could barely score 6 and 14 runs in this match.
- Pakistan did not go with the best playing XI. The unavailability of Imam-Ul-Haq, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed was putting question mark over the selection criteria.
Pakistan is set to play the second test match of the series on 30th of August on the same venue. Lets see what changes Pakistan is going to make in order to level the series.
Leave a Comment