Agencies
Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana combined to pick up nine wickets as Bangladesh took a big stride in their quest towards a 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan on the fourth day of the second Test in Rawalpindi.
Mahmud, who picked two wickets at the fag end of the third day, added three more to his tally on the fourth afternoon to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, finishing with 5 for 43 in 10.4 overs in his third Test. Rana also registered his best Test figures - 4 for 44 - as Pakistan were bowled out for 172 in their second innings, setting up a target of 185.
With Taskin Ahmed taking the other wicket, this was the first time in Bangladesh’s Test history that all ten wickets were picked up by fast bowlers.
Zakir Hasan then came out with a positive intent and scored 31 not out off 23 balls with two fours and two sixes as Bangladesh wiped 42 runs off the target in just seven overs. He had Shadman Islam for company on 9 when bad light and then rain forced an early finish to the day shortly after tea. Bangladesh require another 143 runs on the final day to secure just their third overseas Test series victory and first since their 1-0 win in Zimbabwe in 2021.
Resuming on 9 for 2 with a lead of 21, it was shaping up to be a good morning for Pakistan, with Shan Masood and Saim Ayub looking positive. Masood began by punching Taskin down the ground before Ayub clipped the pace bowler off his pads. There were a few plays and misses, and tight leaves, but the duo largely looked untroubled as they collected 34 runs in the first 6.2 overs of the day.
But soon after that came a loose drive from Ayub and Bangladesh came galloping back. Taskin bowled one full outside off stump and Ayub went for a drive on the up only to find Najmul Hossain Shanto at mid-off.
Babar Azam started with a cracking a square cut off Taskin but was far from his usual self.
He missed a straight ball from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and was hit on the pad.
Bangladesh reviewed the on-field decision of not out, but replays suggested the ball was missing the leg stump.
Nahid was brought into the attack in the 17th over, and it took him all of three balls to strike. He sent back Masood, whose half-hearted attempt at a drive only found the outside edge for a simple catch to the wicketkeeper.
Nahid then had Babar edging to first slip with a good-length ball that bounced a touch more than what the batter expected. He should have dismissed Mohammad Rizwan first ball but Shadman, who had taken a catch the previous delivery, spilled an almost identical chance.
Even when he was not taking wickets, Nahid caused plenty of trouble. He consistently bowled over 140kph and generated awkward bounce with his high-arm action. He threatened both edges and even hit Rizwan on the helmet with a nasty bouncer. Rizwan, visibly shaken, called the physio a few times but carried on.
Nahid picked up his third wicket when Saud Shakeel hung his bat out, offering a simple catch to Litton Das as Pakistan slipped from 47 for 2 to 81 for 6.
Rizwan and Salman Agha, though, made sure Pakistan did not lose another wicket till lunch while extending the lead to 129.
Pakistan needed early wickets but their hopes were quashed by Zakir Hasan, who was on the move early.
He was aggressive with his footwork, often charging at the bowlers early. He clipped Khurram Shahzad for a six over long leg before pulling him for another six, this time over deep-backward square leg as Bangladesh moved 37 for no loss in six overs at tea.
Only one over was possible after the break before it got too dark for play to continue.
Scores: Bangladesh 262 & 42 for 0 (Zakir 31*) need another 143 runs to beat Pakistan 274 & 172 (Agha 47*, Rizwan 43, Mahmud 5-43, Nahid 4-44).
