RAWALPINDI: Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered a stellar performance, taking five wickets to help Bangladesh dismiss Pakistan for 274 on the second day of the second Test on Saturday. Miraz’s five-wicket haul, his 10th in Test cricket, was pivotal in securing a strong position for the tourists, who are aiming to win only their third away series.
Bangladesh ended the day at 10-0, despite opener Shadman Islam being dropped by Saud Shakeel off the first ball of their innings. Miraz’s contributions included dismissing Pakistan captain Shan Masood for 57 and opener Saim Ayub for 58, after Pakistan had been well-placed at 99-1 at lunch.
Miraz, who also had a match-turning performance with figures of 4-21 in Bangladesh’s 10-wicket win in the first Test, wrapped up Pakistan’s innings with figures of 5-61. He was supported by fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who claimed 3-57. Taskin also dismissed Saud Shakeel for 16, while Salman Agha, dropped early on, managed to score 54.
Bangladesh’s victory in the first Test last week was their first ever over Pakistan in 14 attempts. Pakistan, seeking a win to level the series, started strong but faltered, losing wickets regularly and falling from a solid 107-1.
Babar Azam was dismissed leg-before by spinner Shakib Al Hasan for 31, extending his run of innings without a half-century to 15. The first day’s play had been washed out by rain, but Pakistan showed promise in the first session before succumbing to Bangladesh’s bowlers.
The match is part of the World Test Championship, with Pakistan currently ranked eighth and Bangladesh seventh. Pakistan made two changes from the first Test, resting Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah and bringing in Mir Hamza and Abrar Ahmed.
