After ending the first innings with a respectable total of 330, Bangladesh failed to put any kind of ascendency with the bowl as Pakistan end Day 2 of the first Test match in a very strong position in Chattogram on Saturday. In reply to Bangladesh’s 330, the men in green have scored 145 without loss of any wickets.
Openers Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique are unbeaten at 93 and 52 respectively. The whole of Day 2 belonged to Pakistan. They wasted little time to break the Liton-Rahim partnership as Hasan Ali trapped the centurion lbw in the very second over. The speedster scalped a fifer and Bangladesh managed to add just 77 runs to their overnight score. Liton scored 233-ball 114 and Mushfiqur Rahim scored 225-ball 91. Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 38.
In reply, Pakistan did what Bangladesh did on Day 1 - not lose any wickets in the last two sessions. Debutant Abdullah Shafique survived an lbw appeal early on as the hosts didn't review it. Barring that, forget chances, there were hardly any half-chances. Shafique reached his maiden Test half-century with a six and his senior partner is well-set to notch up his fourth Test ton. Pakistan will aim to bat their opponents out of the game. Question remains can the home team stage a comeback on this pitch where there isn't much assistance for the bowlers?
For Bangladesh, they need to recalibrate their bowling plans for sure. The teeth is missing in the deck, and also in their attack. There is some turn, but nothing to worry a batter who is set. Therefore, Pakistan's modus operandi will be to bat, and bat long while the deck is still easy to play on.
Earlier on Day 2, Pakistan enjoyed an excellent session and it was all because of Hasan Ali. He was the chief wrecker and the reason they have picked six wickets in the session. Liton Das was trapped LBW in the second over of the day and Hasan Ali followed that up by cleaning debutant Yasir Ali. Mushfiqur Rahim seemed to stagnate himself due to the fall of wickets and was dismissed by Faheem Ashraf. Mehidy Hasan added some crucial runs with the tail but he exposed the last two batters to Hasan Ali and paid the price as he was left stranded at the other end. Tigers added only 77 runs to the overnight total. Hasan Ali completed his spell with excellent figures of 51/5.
