Bad light halts play as Bangladesh eyes series win against struggling Pakistan

Bangladesh's fast bowlers, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, showcased their prowess as they put Pakistan in a precarious position at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

Hasan Mahmud's five-wicket haul (5 for 43) and Nahid Rana's four-wicket performance (4 for 44) exposed Pakistan's vulnerabilities outside the off-stump, leaving Bangladesh with a chance to secure a 2-0 series win, weather permitting.

Chasing 185 runs for only their third series victory outside their home turf, Bangladesh was positioned at 42 for no loss in seven overs when play was halted due to bad light. With 46 overs still remaining, the match's fate hangs in the balance, and both teams are anxiously hoping for favorable weather conditions on Tuesday. Zakir Hasan (31) and Shadman Islam (9) were at the crease when play was called off.

Earlier, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered under pressure as seven of their eight dismissals on the fourth day came from being caught behind the stumps, leading to their dismissal for 172 runs in 46.4 overs. Abdullah Shafique's dismissal from the previous day added to the woes, with eight Pakistani batters ultimately falling to deliveries outside the off-stump.

Resuming their second innings at nine for two, Pakistan struggled, with opener Saim Ayub (20) and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad being the only batters to avoid the slip cordon. Shan Masood (28), Saud Shakeel (2), and Mohammad Rizwan (43) were caught by Litton Das, while Babar Azam (11), Mohammad Ali (0), Abrar Ahmed (2), and Mir Hamza (4) fell to the slips.

The credit for Pakistan's downfall goes to Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, who shared nine wickets between them, with Taskin Ahmed claiming one. This was a stark contrast to the previous day's play, where Pakistan had lost their first six wickets to spinners, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking five.

Salman Ali Agha was the lone fighter in Pakistan’s innings, contributing a solid 47 not out from 71 balls, including six fours and a six. Alongside Mohammad Rizwan (43), Salman added 55 runs for the seventh wicket, helping Pakistan recover from 47 for two to 81 for six.

Pakistan's struggle was evident as they went for lunch at 117 for six, with Rizwan and Salman batting on 38 and seven, respectively. Bangladesh, meanwhile, had also lost six wickets in the first session of the third day while scoring 65 runs.

Hasan Mahmud’s maiden five-wicket haul in his third Test included key dismissals such as Rizwan, Ali, and Hamza, finishing with figures of 10.4-1-43-5. Nahid Rana's impressive figures of 11-1-44-4 included the wickets of Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, and Abrar Ahmed. Babar Azam, who has struggled for form in recent times, remains without a half-century in his last 16 innings, managing only 331 runs during this period.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh XI: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

Pakistan XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad