Khurram Shahzad (X/ThePCB)
New Delhi: In a dominant display of fast bowling, Khurram Shahzad wreaked havoc on Bangladesh's batting lineup with a sensational spell of seven overs, claiming 4 wickets for just 17 runs. His efforts dismantled the hosts' top and middle order, leaving them reeling at 75 for 6 by the lunch break. Shahzad was brilliantly backed up by Mir Hamza, who chipped in with figures of 2 for 24. Despite the carnage, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das fought back with an unbeaten 49-run partnership, offering a glimmer of hope for Bangladesh.
The first hour of play saw both Shahzad and Hamza making the new ball dance, troubling the Bangladeshi batsmen with their movement in both directions. Hamza came close to dismissing Zakir Hasan twice in one over—first, a flick off the pads landed just short of square leg, and then a leg-before appeal was denied, though replays suggested the ball would have crashed into the stumps. However, Zakir couldn’t escape for long as Shahzad removed him in the next over, caught by Abrar Ahmed at square leg.
Shahzad continued to torment the batsmen, bowling Shadman Islam around his legs before sending Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto back to the pavilion. The skipper, trying to flick the ball away, lost his balance and was bowled, leaving Bangladesh in deeper trouble.
Hamza's persistent bowling paid off when he dismissed Mominul Haque, who chipped a catch to mid-on. Shahzad, brimming with confidence, soon sent Mushfiqur Rahim packing for just one run, with the wicketkeeper-batsman edging a peach of a delivery to the slip cordon. Shahzad then trapped Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan leg-before, as the latter misjudged the line of the ball.
At this point, Bangladesh were teetering at 26 for 6, staring at the possibility of an early collapse.
BREATHING FIRE IN RAWALPINDI 🏟️🔥
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 1, 2024
Incredible spell this from Khurram Shahzad! 🎯🎯#PAKvBAN | #TestOnHai pic.twitter.com/NALHt1y6x3
However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das steadied the ship, counterattacking to alleviate some of the pressure. Mehidy lashed out at Hamza with two crisply struck boundaries through the off-side, while Litton Das capitalized on a tiring Shahzad, smashing a boundary off his seventh over. The pair negotiated the bowling of Mohammad Ali and Abrar Ahmed more comfortably as the pitch began to ease under the baking sun. Mehidy, in particular, found his rhythm, striking seven boundaries in his knock of 33, providing a much-needed lifeline for Bangladesh.
Earlier, Pakistan posted a total of 274 in their first innings, with key contributions from Saim Ayub (58) and Shan Masood (57). Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, claiming 5 wickets for 61 runs, while Taskin Ahmed added 3 for 57. With Bangladesh still trailing by 199 runs and only four wickets in hand, Pakistan remain in firm control of the match, courtesy of Shahzad's brilliance and Hamza's support.
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