Bangladesh staged a remarkable fightback on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, leaving the match delicately poised at the end of play on Sunday. Litton Das’s brilliant century overshadowed Khurram Shahzad’s six-wicket haul as Bangladesh recovered from a disastrous start to close the gap on Pakistan’s first innings total.
Starting the day at 10 for no loss, Bangladesh found themselves in deep trouble early on as Pakistan exploited the moisture in the pitch, reducing the visitors to 26 for six inside the first nine overs. Khurram Shahzad was the chief destroyer, claiming four of the first six wickets, while Mir Hamza provided valuable support with two quick strikes.
However, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz then orchestrated a stunning recovery, putting on 165 runs for the seventh wicket. Litton played a heroic knock, battling through cramps to score 138 off 228 balls, including 13 fours and four sixes. Mehidy contributed a crucial 78 off 124 deliveries, striking 12 boundaries and a six.
The partnership between Litton and Mehidy dragged Bangladesh from the brink of disaster to a respectable total, frustrating the Pakistani bowlers for nearly three and a half hours. Even after Mehidy’s departure, the Bangladesh tail wagged, with Hasan Mahmud providing stubborn resistance alongside Litton. The last three wickets added 71 runs, stretching Bangladesh’s innings to 262, just 12 runs behind Pakistan’s first innings total of 274.
Khurram Shahzad ended with figures of 6 for 90, becoming the first Pakistan fast bowler to take a six-wicket haul in a home series since 2010. His early spell of 7-0-15-4 had given Pakistan hope of a swift victory, but Bangladesh’s lower order had other ideas. Mir Hamza also toiled hard, finishing with 2 for 50, while Salman Ali Agha chipped in with two late wickets to wrap up the innings.
Pakistan’s second innings got off to a shaky start, with Hasan Mahmud removing Abdullah Shafique for three and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad for a duck. At the close of play, Pakistan were precariously placed at 9 for 2, just 21 runs ahead, with eight wickets remaining.
With two days still to play, both teams remain in the hunt, but Bangladesh’s remarkable comeback has turned the match on its head, setting up an intriguing final two days of the Test.
Scores in Brief (Day 3 of 5):
- Pakistan: 274 all out in 85.1 overs (Saim Ayub 58, Shan Masood 57, Salman Ali Agha 54, Babar Azam 31, Mohammad Rizwan 29; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-61, Taskin Ahmed 3-57) and 9-2
- Bangladesh: 262 all out in 78.4 overs (Litton Das 138, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 78, Hasan Mahmud 13*; Khurram Shahzad 6-90, Salman Ali Agha 2-13, Mir Hamza 2-50)
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