Pakistan would be the happier side seeing the scoreboard as vice-captain Saud Shakeel and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan walked off on stumps on the first day of the opening Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, August 21. Shakeel put his guard down after his side was in a precarious position at 16/3, alongside young opener Saim Ayub to not only take his side to safer shores but from where they can now put pressure on Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh won’t be disheartened as well, as they were able to get Ayub’s wicket before the end of the day’s play.
The opening day of Pakistan’s home Test season began after a long delay of 4.5 hours due to a wet outfield. The umpires conducted four inspections as a few brown patches in the outfield and on the bowler’s run-up prevented play for the longest time before the two teams finally got out on the field. The pitch had lively grass on it, and hence, both captains wanted to bowl first and Bangladesh capitalized on the early advantage.
The ball was flying, and Pakistan was three down for possibly nothing. Zakir Hassan plucked a stunner in the slips to send back Abdullah Shafique, captain Shan Masood felt he was given a raw deal because of a questionable call, while Babar Azam got out down the leg as Bangladesh pacers Mahmud and Shoriful Islam were all over the Pakistan batters. However, the yin and yang of Ayub and Shakeel worked perfectly for Pakistan. Shakeel took the aggressive route at first while Ayub played on the merit of the ball. When Ayub had his eyes set in, he took a few risks which paid off as Pakistan recovered well through their partnership.
Ayub completed his fifty before getting out for 56. Shakeel continued his merry run but took a backseat then because he knew the importance of his wicket. Shakeel completed his fifty, and Mohammad Rizwan hit a couple of sumptuous boundaries to keep Bangladesh bowlers at bay for the rest of the day. Pakistan will hope to add at least 100-120 runs as the wicket is still a good cricket wicket, has enough for both batters and bowlers and if weather stays put, should be a cracking second day.
The initial proceedings saw a great deal of drama with the wet outfield delaying the start of play by 4.5 hours. The umpires had no choice but to conduct multiple inspections to assess the conditions. A few brown patches in the outfield and on the bowler’s run-up were particularly concerning and extended the delay longer than anticipated. It was only after four comprehensive inspections that play could finally commence, setting the stage for an eventful day with both teams eager to make a mark.
The pitch, adorned with lively grass, immediately drew the attention of both captains who were keen on bowling first. Bangladesh, having won the toss, seized the early momentum. Their bowlers made the most of the conditions, with the new ball swinging and seaming prodigiously. Pakistan’s top order seemed ill at ease, as evidenced by the quick fall of wickets.
. Abdullah Shafique was the first to go, falling victim to a breathtaking catch by Zakir Hassan in the slips. Skipper Shan Masood’s departure followed soon after; he was on the receiving end of a contentious decision that left him visibly frustrated. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s mainstay, was dismissed down the leg, adding to the team’s early woes.
This was a period of dominance for the Bangladesh bowlers, particularly Mahmud and Shoriful Islam, who were relentless in their attack. They consistently hit the right areas, extracting bounce and movement to trouble the Pakistani batsmen. With Pakistan reeling at 16/3, the hosts were staring down the barrel.
Enter Saud Shakeel and Saim Ayub. The contrasting styles of these two batsmen provided the much-needed balance for Pakistan. Shakeel decided to counter the aggressive bowling with aggression of his own, taking calculated risks which paid off. On the other hand, Ayub steadied the ship by playing each ball on its merit. This combination helped in not only stemming the flow of wickets but also in gradually building a partnership.
Once Ayub got his eye in, he played some exquisite shots, taking calculated risks that allowed Pakistan to claw back into the game. He brought up his fifty, which was a mix of aggression and patience, before being dismissed for 56. His wicket, however, did not dampen the spirits in the Pakistani camp as Shakeel continued to anchor the innings.
Saud Shakeel, aware of the situation’s gravity, played a mature inning by switching gears when required. He moved from aggression to consolidation seamlessly, ensuring that the team did not lose another wicket before stumps. His efforts were complemented by Mohammad Rizwan, who struck a few delightful boundaries to keep the pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers.
As the day drew to a close, Pakistan found themselves in a much stronger position than they initially were. Shakeel and Rizwan’s unbeaten partnership provided a sense of relief and hope for the host nation. Looking ahead to the second day, Pakistan will be aiming to add another 100 to 120 runs to their total. The pitch still offers a fair contest between bat and ball, promising an exciting day of cricket, provided the weather remains favorable.
In summary, despite the early scare, Pakistan managed to recover, thanks to the resilience shown by Saud Shakeel and Saim Ayub. With Rizwan also stepping up, Pakistan has set the stage for a potentially pivotal second day in this opening Test against Bangladesh. Both teams will be looking to capitalize on the opportunities, making this contest one to watch closely.
