Bangladesh’s fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana exposed Pakistan’s fragility outside the off-stump, leaving the hosts teetering on the edge of a 2-0 series defeat at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The duo’s devastating spells reduced Pakistan to a mere 172 in their second innings, setting Bangladesh on course for only their third series win outside home soil.
Chasing a modest target of 185, Bangladesh reached 42 without loss in seven overs before bad light forced an early close of play, with Zakir Hasan (31) and Shadman Islam (9) at the crease. With 46 overs still remaining, the weather forecast for the final day is grim, and both teams are left praying for opposite outcomes.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s batting woes continued as seven of their eight dismissals were caught behind the stumps, underscoring their struggles with Bangladesh’s pace attack. Pakistan had resumed at 9 for 2, and despite a brief resistance from Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan, they crumbled to 172 in 46.4 overs.
Hasan Mahmud led the charge for Bangladesh with a maiden five-wicket haul, returning figures of 5 for 43 in just 10.4 overs. Nahid Rana was equally effective, claiming 4 for 44, as both bowlers exploited Pakistan’s weakness outside off-stump. Hasan’s victims included key players like Abdullah Shafique, Rizwan, and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad, while Nahid accounted for the likes of Babar Azam and Shan Masood.
Pakistan’s lone bright spot was Salman Ali Agha, who followed up his first-innings fifty with an unbeaten 47, holding the fort while wickets tumbled around him. His partnership of 55 runs with Rizwan for the seventh wicket provided a brief glimmer of hope, but the relentless pressure from Bangladesh’s pace duo proved too much to handle.
Bangladesh’s second innings began positively, with Zakir Hasan leading the charge as they made a confident start before play was halted. With just 143 runs needed for victory, Bangladesh are well-positioned to secure a series-clinching win, provided the weather does not intervene.
The match now hangs in the balance, with Bangladesh poised for a famous win, while Pakistan will be hoping for rain to come to their rescue on the final day.
Scores in Brief:
Pakistan: 274 all-out (85.1 overs) & 172 all-out (46.4 overs)
- Top Scorers: Saim Ayub 58, Shan Masood 57, Salman Ali Agha 54 & 47 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 29 & 43
- Bangladesh Bowlers: Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-61, Hasan Mahmud 5-43, Nahid Rana 4-44
Bangladesh: 262 all-out (78.4 overs) & 42-0 (7 overs)
- Top Scorers: Litton Das 138, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 78
- Pakistan Bowlers: Khurram Shahzad 6-90, Salman Ali Agha 2-13, Mir Hamza 2-50
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