To help the visitors in replying 448-6 by Pakistan to 316-5, four of Bangladesh’s top seven batters scored defiant half-centuries in what was a commendable fight back during Day 3 of the opening Test at Rawalpindi.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das built an unbroken partnership of 98 for the sixth wicket to keep Bangladesh in the hunt after Shadman Islam (93) steadied the innings with Mominul Haq (50).
After putting on 27 without loss overnight, Bangladeshi openers found runs hard to score as fast bowlers from Pakistan, especially Naseem Shah, maintained great discipline. It was not until Zakir Hasan (12) slashed at one really hard that Mohammad Rizwn, the wicketkeeper, flew to his left and took a stunning catch off Naseem. Meanwhile, Khurram Shahzad snuck one through bat-pad gap of Bangladeshi skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto ((16), reducing them to 53-2.
Shadman partnered Mominul in a 94-run stand which would have eased any fears of a collapse but he could not go on for his second test hundred. Khurram got rid of Mominul before Mohammad Ali sent him back into the field by knocking down his stumps. He had scored twelve fours. Shakib Al Hasan, an allrounder made a quickfire fifteen before driving Saim Ayub towards extra cover where Shan Masood took a simple catch.
But on this pitch where batsmen have had all the success it has come easy for Mushfiqur and Litton. When Litton got going, Pakistan decided to employ short deliveries against him which included three fours and sixes from Naseem’s over making fifty in 52 balls.
