Agencies
A 240-run fifth-wicket stand between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan formed the centerpiece of a dominant second day for Pakistan as they declared at 448 for 6 in the first Test at Rawalpindi, leaving Bangladesh to see off a tricky hour or so before stumps.
Bangladesh did so, with openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan surviving 12 overs, but they will have to come back and face Pakistan’s four-pronged seam attack on day three with a ball that is still relatively new.
Pakistan vice-captain Shakeel completed 1,000 runs in Test cricket, becoming the joint-fastest batter for his country to reach the milestone.
Shakeel smashed 141 in 261 balls. His composed knock consisted of nine well-placed fours and runs came at a strike rate of 54.02.
Now, in 20 innings, Shakeel has completed his 1,000 runs in Tests, equalling batter Saeed Ahmed’s record to become the joint-fastest Pakistan batter to reach the milestone. Both have completed this milestone in 11 Tests and 20 innings.
In 11 Tests and 20 innings, Shakeel has scored 1,108 runs at an average of 65.17, with best score of 208*. He has scored three centuries and six fifties in his brief, but an extremely promising Test career so far.
Pakistan looked to up their scoring rate when they resumed after tea, with Rizwan announcing their intent by stepping out and clouting Shoriful Islam for a big six over long-on. The shot triggered a bout of cramps, and Rizwan continued to hobble as he collected 37 off 42 balls after tea to finish unbeaten on 171 when Pakistan declared.
Pakistan’s aggressive intent after tea cost them one wicket, when Shakib Al Hasan’s guile undid Agha Salman’s attempt to hit him against the turn, bringing about a sliced catch at backward point. But it also brought quick runs, as Shaheen Shah Afridi slogged two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 29 off 24.
Hasan Mahmud (2/70) and Shoriful Islam (2/77) were the top bowlers for Bangladesh, who have to overcome this big trail in order to stay alive in the match.
Rizwan came out and kept wickets when Bangladesh’s innings began, but cramps forced him to leave the field after 7.3 overs, with Sarfaraz Ahmed taking over behind the stumps. In all, Rizwan was on the field for all but 4.3 overs of the day’s play.
Having added 44 on day one, Shakeel and Rizwan batted on for the best part of two sessions before Bangladesh finally broke their stand, with just over 15 minutes to go for tea.
Scores: Bangladesh 27 for 0 trail Pakistan 448 for 6 dec (Rizwan 171*, Shakeel 141, Ayub 56, Mahmud 2-70, Shoriful 2-77) by 421 runs.