After the rain disrupted the opening day of the second Test, the sun emerged brightly over Rawalpindi for the resumption of play. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to bowl first. This decision quickly proved effective as Taskin Ahmed dismissed Abdullah Shafique in the very first over. Nevertheless, Shan Masood and Saim Ayub responded with determination, advancing the score steadily. They capitalized on the short deliveries from the Bangladeshi pacers, accumulating runs with ease. Although the pitch offered some assistance for balls pitched up, Bangladesh’s bowlers did not consistently target those areas, allowing Masood and Ayub to bat without significant pressure. By the time lunch was called, Masood had scored a half-century off 54 balls, and Pakistan was positioned at 99/1 for the session.
After lunch, the Bangladeshi spinners began to assert control, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz breaking the 107-run partnership by dismissing Masood in the 28th over. Babar Azam and Ayub adopted a cautious approach as the spin-pace duo of Miraz and Nahid Hasan tightened their grip. Amid this, Ayub reached his half-century off 93 balls but couldn’t convert it into a significant score, falling again to Miraz’s bowling. With Saud Shakeel joining Babar at the crease, Pakistan progressed to 124/3 after 34 overs. However, the momentum shifted in favour of the visitors when Taskin claimed the crucial wicket of Saud Shakeel for a low score. The Babar-Mohammad Rizwan pair attempted to rotate the strike but struggled to build a solid partnership, as Taskin struck again, dismissing Babar in the 54th over. Despite this setback for the hosts, Salman Agha and Rizwan steadied the innings, taking the score to 183/5 by Tea.
Post tea, Salman and Rizwan managed to hold the Pakistan batting line steady despite mounting pressure. Their partnership was eventually broken by Nahid Rana, who dismissed Rizwan in the 65th over. The Bangladeshi bowlers were visibly pleased with their performance, having prevented Pakistan from establishing any significant partnerships. Thereafter, Salman aimed to stabilize the innings further, joined by Khurram Shahzad. However, Miraz struck again and removed both Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali, leaving Pakistan at 248/8 after 82 overs. Salman and Abrar Ahmed then accelerated the scoring, hitting several sixes to push the total to 264/8 in 84 overs. Salman reached his half-century off 92 balls. Despite this late surge, Miraz continued to excel and claimed a five-wicket haul dismissing Pakistan for 274 runs.
With only two overs remaining in the day, Bangladesh’s innings got underway with openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan guiding the scoreboard to 10/0 in two overs, trailing by 264 runs.
i like babar azam
— Ayaz Amiiir 𝓯𝓪𝓷 (@lifewithpak09) August 31, 2024
Poor form!
Obsolutely not!
You can’t win games this way,so lazy and pathetic.#PAKvsBAN pic.twitter.com/cEebTb4IEn
— Abid★ (@aabidnazir65) August 31, 2024
LOL! What is the convo btw?
#SaimAyub #agasalman #babarazam #PCB #Bangladesh #PAKvsBAN #Pakistan #bcb #Cricket pic.twitter.com/DCYpRDCtPE
— Akshit (@Akshitbhatia771) August 31, 2024
Moye moye!
Bouncing the ball from hands?
Someone said Pakistan will bounce back in 2nd test🤡#PAKvsBAN
— Najam Sherazi❤️😊 (@najamsherazi2) August 31, 2024
Do you know what happened 🤔 #PAKvsBAN #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/YS7EazEfSd
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) August 31, 2024
Only they know it!
how are you going to drop the easiest catch like actually kys
— s🍃 (@applesidraa) August 31, 2024
Easy one!
Another drop catch
Big big miss
🥴#PAKvsBAN #tapmad #HojaoADFree pic.twitter.com/mVyQYufuqJ— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) August 31, 2024
