The Bangladesh fast bowlers, led by Hasan Mahmud
put a gem of pace bowling show to help the side close in on a historical Test
series victory against Pakistan.
The Tigers are now just 143 runs away from a yet another landmark victory
which not only gave them a clean sweep in the two-match series but also would
help them register their first ever series victory against Pakistan.
After being set 185-run for a victory, Bangladesh reached 42 for no loss
before the rain brought any early end to the Day 4 game at Rawalpindi Cricket
Stadium today.
Opener Zakir Hasan played in T20 style to hit 23 ball-31 not out with two
fours and as many six and Shadman Islam was on 9 at stumps.
Out of the 41 times they chased the target in fourth innings, Bangladesh won
just six matches including the first Test against Pakistan that they won by
10 wickets. They were able to chase above 180-run target twice in their
history in the fourth innings with the highest 217 came against West Indies
in 2009 and the second high
est 191 against Sri Lanka in 2017 in their 100th
Test match.
Hasan Mahmud, however, led the charge with 5-43, his maiden five-wicket haul
in his just third Test match to put the side in front. Fast bowler Nahid Rana
played a perfect foil to him with 4-44.
Bangladesh pacers took all 10 wickets, with Taskin Ahmed snaring the rest of
the wicket to help the side bowl Pakistan out for just 172 runs in the second
innings.
Bangladesh put down a number of catches on Day 4 when Pakistan resumed at 9-2
but that mattered little as the pacers were all over the hosts, sensing a
historical victory.
Siam Ayub and skipper Shan Masood were watchful at the start of the day as
Pakistan appeared to take the stranglehold of the match.
Taskin Ahmed gave the first breakthrough of the day when he had Saim Ayub
caught by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto for 20.
Nahid Rana who troubled the Pakistan batters with raw pace then took the
prized scalp of Masood who edged a delivery behind after scoring 28.
Rana then forced a
slide of Pakistan, getting the better of Babar Azam (11)
and Saud Shakeel before Hasan Mahmud came up with fire.
Mahmud halted the proceedings as Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha appeared to
take the side in a safe destination.
He swung one nicely to take the wicket of Rizwan who made second-best 43 and
then took the wicket of Mohammad Ali and Mir Hamza in the consecutive
deliveries to complete his first five-wicket haul in the Test.
Salman Agha was stranded on 47 as Pakistan could set up just a total that
looked achievable with ease.
Pakistan earlier were bowled out for 274 in its first innings, after being
tormented by Mehidy Hasan Miraz who took 5-61. Liton Das then struck an epic
138 and Miraz made 78 as Bangladesh recovered from 26-6 to post 262,
conceding a slender 12-run lead.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha