Pakistan had little doubt that bowlers could take them to an winning position if they could get a sizeable total with the bat, all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez said after fourth day’s play in the second Test on Tuesday.
Two wickets each from Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema ripped the heart out of Bangladesh’s batting order as the hosts limped to 114–5 in their second innings taking Pakistan five wickets away from win after they had posted a mammoth 470.
‘We knew that there will
be some movement with the new ball. So we were very much sure that if we can bowl in the right area, we can get some wickets,’ Hafeez said in a news conference.
‘I think the effort by Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema was brilliant. They bowled really well and used the conditions very well,’ added Hafeez, who defended Pakistan’s batting approach on the third and the fourth day.
Pakistan were slow in the progress which at times raised doubts if they would get enough time to bowl out Bangladesh for the second time. But Hafeez said that this was how they played the game and there was nothing to complain.
‘This game is not T20 cricket. It is Test cricket and here you will have to spend a quality time both as a batsman and a bowler and work according to the plan,’ Hafeez said.
‘We have never taken it that way and I think we have played a very good cricket throughout the season.’
‘The aim was very simple. We were looking forward to a very good total for Bangladeshi batsmen to chase and the new ball was also doing a bit,’ he said.
The all-rounder was understandably happy with their position despite persistent bad light and interruption because of fog.
‘I would like to thank players for being able to play under the bad light, put a brilliant effort and execute the plans well,’ he said.
‘I think we are in a solid dominating position in the game now and will try to finish the game as soon possible tomorrow and win the game,’ he said on Tuesday.
-With New Age input
