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The Bangladesh cricket team showcased their dominance in the first session of the final day of the Test match against Pakistan, securing five crucial wickets and reigniting their hopes for a rare away Test victory. The momentum gained from Mushfiqur Rahim's impressive 191-run innings on Saturday fueled their determination as they entered the final day with a significant lead. Following Saim Ayub's dismissal on the fourth evening, Bangladesh's bowlers combined forces to dismantle Pakistan's batting lineup, leaving them with just four wickets in hand and trailing by nine runs with two extended sessions remaining.
The first session witnessed a dramatic shift in the match's trajectory. Despite a steady start at 65 for 2, Pakistan experienced a sudden collapse, losing several key wickets in quick succession. The dismissal of Babar Azam for 22 proved particularly detrimental, as he was caught off a delivery by Nahid Rana. Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman were also dismissed for ducks, adding to Pakistan's growing woes. Babar Azam narrowly escaped a duck earlier in the day when Litton Das failed to secure a catch, but he couldn't maintain his momentum and fell victim to Nahid's relentless pace.
The bowling partnership of Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz proved instrumental in dismantling Pakistan's batting lineup. Shakib's consistent lines and pressure tactics led to the downfall of Shakeel, who was stumped for a duck, while Mehidy dismissed Salman with a teasing offbreak, resulting in a sharp catch by Shadman Islam. The 10-over-old ball didn't exhibit as much swing in the morning as it did on the previous evening, yet Shan Masood became an early casualty, edging a delivery behind off Hasan Mahmud. Despite the on-field umpire's initial judgment, Bangladesh successfully reviewed the decision and saw the verdict overturned based on UltraEdge technology.
Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's first-innings centurion, emerged as a crucial factor in keeping his team afloat. He responded to Bangladesh's dominance with a counter-attacking innings, despite taking a few risks. Rizwan's aggressive approach, particularly against Nahid Rana, allowed him to score a hat-trick of fours and significantly reduce the deficit. Abdullah Shafique, who had shown patience at the other end, threw his wicket away by attempting a heave over mid-off, providing Bangladesh with a crucial advantage. The final moments of the session saw Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi endure some tense moments, surviving lbw appeals and stumping attempts, before the lunch break. With two crucial sessions remaining, Bangladesh stands poised for a potential victory, with their bowlers having set the tone for a thrilling finish to the match.
Source: Shakib gives Bangladesh hope of victory after five-wicket morning session