Khurram Shahzad registers best figures by Pakistan pacer at home in 21 years

Pakistan pacer Khurram Shahzad has delivered a remarkable performance in the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh, achieving the best home figures by a Pakistani fast bowler in over two decades. 

His stellar bowling helped Pakistan gain a significant advantage after a rain-affected start to the match.

Following a rain delay that washed out the first day, Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for 274 on day two. Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, and Salman Agha contributed with half-centuries, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz took a notable five-wicket haul. By the end of the day, Bangladesh had reached 10-0 in their first innings.

The third day of the Test saw Pakistan's bowlers, led by Khurram Shahzad, take control of the match. Shahzad initiated the collapse by dismissing Zakir Hasan, followed by the wickets of Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto in quick succession. He later trapped Shakib Al Hasan lbw, reducing Bangladesh to a precarious 26-6.

Despite a resilient 165-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das, Shahzad returned to break the stand, taking a sharp return catch from Mehidy to complete his five-wicket haul. He further dismissed Taskin Ahmed to secure his sixth wicket, ending Bangladesh's innings.

Khurram Shahzad's figures of 6-90 mark the best home performance by a Pakistani pacer since Shoaib Akhtar's 6-50 against Bangladesh in Peshawar in 2003. 

During the period when international cricket was suspended in Pakistan (2009-2019), only Tanvir Ahmed managed a six-wicket haul at Pakistan's temporary 'home' venues in the UAE, taking 6-120 against South Africa in Abu Dhabi in 2010.

Other notable six-wicket hauls on Pakistani soil since Akhtar include Umar Gul's 6-135 against Sri Lanka in Lahore (2009), Abrar Ahmed's 7-114 against England in Multan (2022), and Noman Ali's 6-107 against Australia in Rawalpindi (2022).