Pakistan’s cricket team finds itself on the verge of yet another embarrassing defeat against Bangladesh in the ongoing second Test match in Rawalpindi. Following a disastrous first Test loss, Pakistan appears to be heading down a similar path, despite once being in a commanding position during this match. On the third day, after taking a slim lead of just 12 runs, Pakistan’s batting faltered, leaving them in a precarious situation at the end of the day.
A Nightmare Second Innings
Pakistan’s second innings started on a disastrous note. Within just 3.4 overs, they lost two crucial wickets, scoring a meager 9 runs. Opener Abdullah Shafiq, struggling for form, was dismissed for only 3 runs, while nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad, who had impressed with the ball earlier, failed to contribute with the bat and was out for a duck. As a result, Pakistan’s lead currently stands at just 21 runs, with their position looking increasingly fragile as they head into the fourth day.
Bangladesh’s Stunning Fightback
Bangladesh’s remarkable recovery in their first innings has been the highlight of the match. Starting the third day at 10/0, Bangladesh crumbled to 26/6 within the first hour, with Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza wreaking havoc. Khurram was particularly lethal, taking four wickets in quick succession, while Hamza, who was included in the side in place of injured pacers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi, chipped in with two wickets.
Despite this dramatic collapse, Bangladesh mounted a remarkable comeback, led by wicketkeeper-batsman Litton Das and all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz. The duo stitched together a 165-run partnership for the seventh wicket, frustrating the Pakistani bowlers and swinging the momentum back in favor of Bangladesh. While Miraz narrowly missed out on a century, Litton Das reached his fourth Test century, ensuring that Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 262 runs.
Miraz, who had already made his mark with a five-wicket haul in Pakistan’s first innings, once again demonstrated his all-round capabilities. His partnership with Litton Das was crucial in narrowing the gap between the two sides, and his late contribution with the bat added 69 runs for the ninth wicket with Hasan Mahmud, bringing Bangladesh within touching distance of Pakistan’s score.
Pakistan’s Batting Woes Continue
Pakistan’s batting has been a cause for concern throughout this series, and their struggles continued in the second innings. Their inability to capitalize on promising positions has been their downfall, as they let Bangladesh back into the game after a strong start with the ball. The top order’s failure to build on the slim lead has put Pakistan under immense pressure, and their hopes now rest on the remaining batsmen to avoid another humiliating defeat.
As the fourth day of the Test approaches, Bangladesh will be eyeing a quick end to Pakistan’s innings. With only a slender lead, Pakistan’s survival in this match hinges on their lower order’s ability to fend off Bangladesh’s bowlers. Bangladesh, on the other hand, needs just a few good deliveries to wrap up the match and seal a memorable series victory.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this Test match, with Bangladesh on the cusp of a historic win, and Pakistan staring down the barrel of yet another disappointing defeat. All eyes will be on Rawalpindi as the drama unfolds on the fourth day, with Pakistan hoping to salvage some pride and Bangladesh looking to complete their remarkable turnaround.
