RAWALPINDI – Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel reached their centuries to put Pakistan in command as Day 2 game of the first Test against Bangladesh is underway at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Rizwan completed the ton in 145 balls while Shakeel reached the milestone in 195 balls. Till 81.3 overs, Pakistan stand at 300-4 after lunch with Rizwan and Shakeel making their partnership stronger.
On Day 1, Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel hit gritty half-centuries which helped Pakistan finish 158-4 in 41 overs on a shortened opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Wednesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. No play was possible in the first session after the start was delayed due to wet outfield.
Earlier, after opting to bowl first in the afternoon session, Bangladesh bowlers reduced Pakistan to 16-3 in 8.2 overs. Abdullah Shafique was the first to depart as he was caught at gully against Hasan Mahmud in the fourth over.
Skipper Shan Masood hit one boundary during his 11-ball stay before falling prey to Shoriful Islam for six runs in the seventh over. Babar Azam was dismissed in the ninth over falling for a two-ball duck off the bowling of Shoriful with Litton Das taking his second catch of the innings.
Following the three early blows, Saim and Saud came together to take Pakistan out of trouble with a 98-run fourth-wicket partnership. The rescue act between the two southpaws was spread on either side of the tea interval as they batted together for 22.5 overs.
Over the course of the partnership, Saim (56, 98b, 4x4s, 1×6) brought up his maiden Test half-century before Hasan induced an edge off his bat in the 32nd over which was safely pouched by Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the slip cordon.
Saud contributed 42 runs in the stand with Saim before stitching an unbeaten 44-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan till the close of play.
