The second day of the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi witnessed a controversial declaration from the hosts. Pakistan declared their innings at 448/6, with Mohammad Rizwan just 29 runs shy of a double century. The decision to declare before Rizwan could achieve his milestone sparked debate among fans, as the batsman was in excellent form and well on his way to a dominant innings.
Rizwan remained unbeaten on 171 off 239 balls, partnering with vice-captain Saud Shakeel, who scored a century of his own (141), to build a commanding position for Pakistan. The duo’s partnership for the fifth wicket reached 240 runs before Shakeel was dismissed. However, Rizwan continued his impressive display, showcasing his determination and skill. Despite being left stranded on 171, Rizwan’s performance was a highlight of the day, leaving the Bangladesh bowlers frustrated.
Pakistan’s declaration left Bangladesh with a daunting task, facing a target of 421 runs to win. The visitors started their innings cautiously, reaching 27 for no loss at stumps on day two, with Shadman Islam batting on 12 and Zakir Hasan batting on 11.
Day three of the Test saw Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan putting up a resilient performance. They were able to reach 74/0 at stumps but still trail by a huge margin. The openers managed to deal with the tricky passage at the end of Day 2 without losing any wickets. However, with a mountain of runs to chase, Bangladesh will need to bat exceptionally well to avoid a heavy defeat. The pitch offers good batting conditions, and if Bangladesh can start well, they could make the Pakistani seamers suffer.
The partnership between Rizwan and Shakeel helped Pakistan secure a large first-innings score. However, Bangladesh’s resilient batting in the second innings has brought a sense of anticipation for the remaining days of the match. Pakistan will be hoping for some early wickets to put the visitors under pressure, while Bangladesh will aim to capitalize on the favorable batting conditions. It will be a thrilling battle between bat and ball, as both teams strive for victory in this crucial Test match.
