RAWALPINDI: Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam scored a resilient half-century on Friday, steering his team to 134-2 at lunch on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
The 29-year-old left-hander was unbeaten on 53, alongside senior batter Mominul Haque, who was also not out on 45. Together, they withstood Pakistan’s pace attack on a pitch that has considerably slowed down.
Despite their efforts, Bangladesh still trails Pakistan’s first innings total of 448-6 by 314 runs, with eight wickets remaining.
Shadman reached his third Test half-century by pulling pacer Naseem Shah’s final delivery before the break for his sixth boundary, extending the unbroken third-wicket partnership with Haque to 81 runs.
The partnership provided a recovery after Pakistan dismissed Zakir Hasan (12) and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (16) in the extended three-hour session interrupted by Friday prayers.
Haque also displayed confidence, hitting four boundaries. Pakistan utilized all four pacers but is missing a frontline spinner. Part-time slow bowler Agha Salman has had minimal impact in his eight overs.
Starting the day at 27-0, Bangladesh lost Zakir to a sharp one-handed catch by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off Naseem Shah’s fifth over. Shanto was bowled by Khurram Shahzad, leaving the visitors at 53-2.
