1st Test
Day-1 Evening Session Highlights:
Saud Shakeel and Saim Ayub with their half-centuries has helped Pakistan team to recover from the early fall
At The Stumps of Day-1:
Pakistan scored 158/4 vs Bangladesh.
Half-centuries from Saud Shakeel and Saim Ayub anchored Pakistan’s recovery on a rain-affected yet compelling opening day of the first Test in Rawalpindi.
Despite only 41 overs being bowled, Bangladesh made early inroads, reducing Pakistan to 16/3 before the hosts fought back, closing the day at 158/4.
The day’s play began four hours late due to a wet outfield, which kept the groundsmen busy and the players waiting.
After multiple inspections, the toss finally took place at 2:00 PM local time, with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opting to bowl, eager to exploit the moisture and the generous grass cover on the pitch.
Hasan Mahmud struck early, enticing Abdullah Shafique into a drive that resulted in a fine catch at slip by Zakir Hasan.
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood showed promise with a classy backfoot drive for the first boundary of the day but soon fell to Shoriful Islam, who trapped him with a caught-behind dismissal confirmed by DRS.
Masood appeared displeased with the decision, possibly suggesting that the spike on Ultra Edge occurred after the ball passed the bat.
Bangladesh tightened their grip as Shoriful dismissed Babar Azam for a duck, with Litton Das taking a spectacular catch down the leg-side.
Saud Shakeel began confidently, driving Nahid Rana past mid-off for a boundary, while Saim Ayub, after a cautious start, began to find his rhythm, playing some elegant drives and flicks.
Ayub’s first boundary came with a cut shot off Mahmud, followed by an expensive over from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, where Shakeel swept for four, and Ayub lofted a six over long-off.
The pair quickly raised a half-century stand as the frequency of boundaries increased.
Ayub moved into the 40s with a stylish on-drive off Rana and went into the Tea break unbeaten alongside Shakeel.
After Tea, with the bowlers receiving little assistance from the pitch, Ayub and Shakeel continued their solid partnership, mixing strike rotation with well-timed boundaries.
Ayub reached his maiden Test fifty and seemed set for more, but his innings ended at 56 when he edged a Mahmud delivery to slip, where Mehidy took a sharp catch, concluding a 98-run stand.
Shakeel, however, continued to build a strong partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, bringing up his own fifty as Pakistan passed 150 before the extended play was called off for Stumps.
Leave a Reply