Pakistan Bangladesh Test Series: 2nd Day of First Test Being Played at Rawalpindi from February 7 – 11, 2020
Bangladesh Ist Innings 233 All Out ( Mohammad Mithun 63, Nazmul Hossain 44, Liton Das 33, Mominul Haque 30, Mahmudullah 25 and Tijul Islam 24 , Shahin Shah Afridi 4/53, Harris Sohail 2/11 and Mohammad Abbas 2/29). Pakistan Ist Innings 342/3 (Babar Azam 143, Shan Masood 100, Asad Shafique 60* and Azhar Ali 34 , Abu Jayed 2/66 and Taijul Islam 1/111)
Pakistan is leading by 109 runs with 7 wickets at hand.
Insipid Bangladesh is staring at yet another humiliating test defeat. On a wicket where surviving and run scoring became extremely painstaking for Bangladeshi batsmen, Pakistanis played with ease and comfort. A dominant unbeaten 143 by talented Babar Azam, an excellent punishing 100 by Shan Masood and an impressive unbeaten 60 by Asad Shafique led Pakistan to complete command at stumps of day two. Another humiliating defeat is staring at helpless Pakistan.
After an excellent first day when Pakistani bowlers squeezed Bangladesh to a well below par 233 all out Pakistan dominated day two. Excepting Abu Jayed using the subtle movement that wicket offered and Taijul bowling steady Rubel and Ebadat never caused any trouble for the Pakistani batsmen. They bowled either too short or too full. Liton or the bowler did not appeal for a catch off Masood’s bat. Babar was dropped off Taijul very early in his innings. When bowlers create very few chances and those are not availed struggling is the logical consequence.
This Bangladesh attack will struggle getting any test team all out in any test on any wicket. With already 109 runs lead Pakistan would go 300 plus ahead by Tea making Bangladesh struggle for avoiding yet another Innings defeat. Bangladeshi bowlers failed to take any lessons from the way Abbas and Afridi bowled on day one. Ebadat and Rubel tried bowling short and were punished ruthlessly.
Bangladesh got early success when rookie Abid Ali trying to chase an away moving delivery of Abu Jayed’s first over nicked behind. Jayed bowled an excellent first spell testing both Shan Masood and Azhar Ali. But Ebadat and Rubel were clueless. Masood and Azhar after some early play and miss punished the wayward Bangladesh batsman. The second wicket partnership added 91 before Jayed removed well set Pakistan Captain Azhar for 33 caught by Nazmul Hossain. That brought talented Babar Azam considered one of best test batsman in the world joining Shan Masood. Bangladesh bowling looked like friendly fire. 112 very impressive runs were added in the 3rd wicket. Fortunately for Bangladesh Shan Masood after getting his 100 played a innocuous looking straight delivery of Taijul late getting his furniture disturbed. Azhar Ali played a punishing stroke full-unbeaten innings of 143 studded with 19 fours and a six. His partner Asad Shafique remained unbeaten on 60. Unbroken 4th wicket partnership already added 137 and looking good for more. Unless Bangladesh vastly improves their bowling in the first session of day three Pakistan by teatime would have 300-350 ahead. Bangladesh may be seen looking down the barrel at stumps of day three.
The philosophy of ignoring Mustafiz and Shafiul in the lopsided Bangladesh bowling attack was not understood. On this wicket Mustafiz could definitely prove useful. Rubel is never considered a good red ball bowler. Bangladesh really gambled with a very weak bowling attack. It will now be a real challenge for Mominul and his squad to avoid yet another test humiliation. With such a weak bowling attack Bangladesh may even struggle against Zimbabwe.
BDST: 1130 HRS, FEB 09, 2020
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