The first day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh witnessed only 35 overs of play on a rain-affected Friday at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. Friday’s action was curtailed by inclement weather, raising the level of anticipation and tension for the few overs that did take place.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh decided to bowl first. This decision seemed to be initially vindicated as the Indian batsmen struggled to score freely against a disciplined Bangladeshi bowling attack. However, as the rain clouds gathered and the game shortened, much of the day’s focus shifted away from the teams’ strategy to the individual performances and records being set or broken during the match.
One of the most talked-about performances was that of Zakir Hasan. The opening batter for Bangladesh faced 24 balls without scoring a run, a marathon of patience that culminated not in a breakthrough but in dismissal. Akash Deep, making his presence felt in just his second Test, trapped Zakir leg-before wicket. This dismissal, seemingly routine, earned Zakir an unwelcome place in cricket history. By facing 24 balls for his duck, Zakir surpassed Ian Chappell’s record of a 22-ball duck set in 1968 in Sydney, making it the most enduring duck against India in Test cricket.
Zakir now tops the list of batsmen who have played the most balls in an innings against India only to end up with a duck. This unwanted feat eclipses the efforts of several renowned cricketers. Australian cricketers have often found themselves in similar predicaments against the Indian attack, with Steve Waugh facing 21 balls for his duck in Sydney in 1986 and Shaun Marsh matching that number in Pune in 2017. Even in more recent times, Cameron Green joined the list with his 21-ball duck in Sydney in 2021.
Bangladesh has also seen its share of protracted ducks, with Manjurul Islam holding the record for the most balls faced for Bangladesh without scoring.
. He endured 41 balls against Sri Lanka in 2002. Rajin Saleh faced 29 balls in 2007, also against Sri Lanka, while Aftab Ahmad labored through 25 balls for his duck against New Zealand in 2008. Zakir’s recent record stands as the fourth-most balls faced for Bangladesh, reflecting both determination and an unfortunate outcome.
Despite these individual records, the team focus remained strong as Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque stood undefeated at the crease when rain interrupted play. Their efforts underscored the importance of building a solid foundation in difficult conditions, with the hope that play on subsequent days would allow for a more substantive display of their batting skills.
India, who had come out aggressively despite the initial setbacks, had a mixed day on the field. Their three key wickets were celebrated but tempered by the knowledge that much work remained. As they eyed a potential series win, their bowlers would need to capitalize on their early breakthroughs whenever the weather allowed the game to resume.
As play was halted, fans of both nations and cricket enthusiasts worldwide couldn’t help but dissect the day’s play, the records it produced, and the implications for the match moving forward. The unfinished narratives of Rahim and Haque, the resilience of the Indian bowlers, and the unprecedented record set by Zakir Hasan became the focal points of conversation.
The playing XIs for the day provided further context to the story unfolding:
India fielded Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma as captain, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
Bangladesh’s lineup constituted Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto as captain, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, and Khaled Ahmed.
The weather remains a crucial factor as both teams prepare for the resumption of play. Fans and players alike will be hoping for clearer skies and the chance for cricket to take center stage once more at Green Park Stadium. As the Test match progresses, all eyes will be on how both teams adapt to the conditions and whether any more records, either illustrious or embarrassing, will be set.
