“Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan Shine with Centuries as Pakistan Dominates Bangladesh”
Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan Shine as Pakistan Dominates Bangladesh
ISLAMABAD: “Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan Shine with Centuries as Pakistan Dominates Bangladesh” Despite a pitch initially favoring fast bowlers, it was the Pakistan batters who stole the spotlight on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
After overcoming early challenges, Pakistan set a solid foundation with Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan delivering impressive centuries. By the end of the first day, Pakistan had scored 448-6, with captain Shan Masood opting to declare the innings.
As play concluded on the second day, Bangladesh had scored 27 runs without losing a wicket, but they face a significant challenge to turn the match in their favor.
Starting the day at 158-4, Saud and Rizwan began with scores of 57 and 24, respectively. Saud, who had already become Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in just 20 innings, continued his form with a patient 141 off 261 balls, including nine fours. Rizwan, meanwhile, amassed 171 off 239 balls, featuring 11 fours and three sixes, before ending his innings unbeaten.
Their partnership of 250 runs is among Pakistan’s highest for the fifth wicket. In a post-match press conference, Saud emphasized the importance of adapting in partnerships. “When one partner is in form, the other may play more defensively if needed. This is how effective partnerships are built,” he explained.
Rizwan was fortunate to survive a dropped catch by wicketkeeper Litton Das off Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s bowling when he was on 89. He later celebrated by hitting a six and a four off Shakib Al Hasan to bring up his third Test century in just 143 balls, and reached 150 with a powerful shot off Shoriful Islam.
Saud took 195 balls to secure his third Test century, showing great skill against spin bowling. He was eventually stumped by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Despite the setback, Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi helped Pakistan reach a commanding total.
“The ball moved early on, but Bangladesh’s bowlers largely bowled short of length,” Saud noted. “We will see how our bowlers perform tomorrow and make final judgments about the pitch.”
The pitch, which offered movement and bounce initially, seemed to become a batting haven. Bangladesh’s openers, Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan, looked comfortable against Pakistan’s pace attack. Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad showed some promise, but the day ended before he could make a significant impact.
Bangladesh’s batting coach, David Hemp, expressed hope that his batters could match Pakistan’s performance. “It’s a good batting pitch, and we hope it remains so. Our batters need to come close to Pakistan’s total,” said Hemp.
Scoreboard:
PAKISTAN (1st Innings):
- Abdullah Shafique c Zakir b Hasan 2
- Saim Ayub c Mehidy b Hasan 56
- Shan Masood c Litton b Shoriful 6
- Babar Azam c Litton b Shoriful 0
- Saud Shakeel st Litton b Mehidy 141
- Mohammad Rizwan not out 171
- Salman Ali Agha c Mehidy b Shakib 19
- Shaheen Shah Afridi not out 29
Extras (B-12, LB-4, NB-7, W-1): 24
Total (for six wkts decl, 113 overs): 448
Fall of Wickets: 1-3 (Abdullah), 2-14 (Shan), 3-16 (Babar), 4-114 (Saim), 5-354 (Saud), 6-398 (Salman)
Did Not Bat: Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali
Bowling: Shoriful 23-4-77-2, Hasan 23-4-70-2, Nahid 19-0-105-0 (3nb), Mehidy 21-1-80-1, Shakib 27-3-100-1 (1w, 4nb)
BANGLADESH (1st Innings):
- Shadman Islam not out 12
- Zakir Hasan not out 11
Extras (LB-4): 4
Total (for no loss, 12 overs): 27
Still to Bat: Najmul Hossain, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
Bowling: Shaheen 4-1-8-0, Naseem 5-1-7-0, Khurram 3-0-8-0
