Shakib Al Hasan helped Bangladesh expand upon their strong base during the second day’s play of the second Test against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
The day ended with Pakistan on 87-1 after bad light stopped play. In all, 26 overs were lost on the day after the morning session began an hour late due to the same problem as on the first day — early morning fog.
But the story of the day remained the Tigers’ score of 338 all out in 107.2 overs. It was an impressive score especially in a series where the batsmen haven’t stood up for themselves. Though the top-order had only one major contribution on the first day, the middle-order was propped up by Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim who took the much-needed calm approach.
The brightest part of their partnership was in the opening session when the pair batted out 21 overs to score just 51 runs as if nothing could go wrong. It wasn’t a negative approach but caution has been the most pressing need for the Tigers.
But it all imploded for Shakib when on 144 he was run out. Mushfiqur had prodded the ball to midwicket and called the non-striker but after Shakib had taken off, the skipper screamed no. It was too late as Taufeeq Umar had swooped in to knock down the stumps, a fuming Shakib walking off.
The 242-ball effort took Shakib almost six hours to compose and though he had hammered 15 boundaries, it was the 63 singles that really built the Tigers’ innings. The unfortunate run-out ended the 82-run sixth wicket stand and what happened next was just how a collapse usually pans out.
Mushfiqur, who had been the perfect foil for Shakib with his 102-ball 40, was strangled down the leg-side by Gul off the very next ball.
It exposed the longish tail though Shahadat Hossain batted quite well to make 21 off 31 balls with the help of a six and two boundaries. Runs are expected from Elias Sunny due to his domestic record and although he just made 12, he batted for nearly an hour.
Gul and Aizaz Cheema took three wickets each for Pakistan while spinner Saeed Ajmal picked up two wickets.
Bangladesh began in the right way, removing Mohammad Hafeez for just 14 runs. Nazmul Hossain, playing in his first Test match in seven years, took the wicket off his first ball in the game.
-With The Daily Star input