Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Match Situation: Bangladesh 122/2 (34 Overs), Target 185, Need 63 more runs to win.
Summary of Day 5 Morning Session
The first session of the final day of this Test match was a cagey affair, but Bangladesh managed to make significant progress towards their target. They began the day needing 122 more runs to clinch a historic series win over Pakistan, having already won the first Test of this series. By lunch, they had reduced that requirement to just 63 runs with eight wickets still in hand, setting the stage for what could be a memorable victory.
Key Highlights and Events of the First Session
- Bangladesh Resilience: Despite losing their openers early, Bangladesh showed resilience and patience. Zakir Hasan fell first for a well-made 40, clean bowled by Mir Hamza, who was impressive with his line and length. Zakir’s dismissal left Bangladesh at 58/1, needing another 127 runs. Soon after, Shadman Islam (24) chipped a catch to Shan Masood off Khurram Shahzad, reducing Bangladesh to 70/2.
- Crucial Partnership: Following these dismissals, Najmul Hossain Shanto (33* off 68 balls) and Mominul Haque (20* off 46 balls) steadied the innings. They absorbed the pressure exerted by Pakistan’s bowlers and slowly accumulated runs. Both batsmen played cautiously, showing good defensive technique while still punishing loose deliveries. Shanto, in particular, grew more comfortable as his innings progressed, finding the boundary regularly to ease the pressure.
- Bowling Strategy: Pakistan’s bowlers, especially Mir Hamza and Khurram Shahzad, were disciplined in their approach. Hamza’s early breakthrough set the tone, and Shahzad’s wicket of Shadman Islam provided further hope. However, as the pitch began to ease, their impact started to wane. The lack of movement off the surface meant that maintaining pressure required relentless discipline, and they occasionally missed their lengths.
- Missed Opportunities: Pakistan had their moments but could not capitalize fully. There was a crucial moment when Mominul Haque nicked one through the slip cordon, but the absence of a third slip allowed the ball to race away to the boundary. This was a missed opportunity that could have changed the dynamics of the game.
- Shanto’s Aggressive Strokes: As the session progressed, Shanto began to play more aggressively. He played a lovely cover drive off Mohammad Ali in the 29th over and followed it with a couple more boundaries. His positive approach has been crucial in reducing the target and putting pressure back on the bowlers.
- Key Overs Before Lunch: Agha Salman’s over before lunch provided a few runs, including three off the last ball due to a wild throw that allowed Shanto and Haque to scamper through for an extra run. Bangladesh’s ability to rotate the strike and pick up singles ensured that the required run rate remained manageable.
Analysis and Outlook
The morning session clearly belonged to Bangladesh. The team’s strategy of cautious aggression paid off, with Shanto and Haque forming a crucial partnership. Their calculated risks, like Shanto’s lofted shot over mid-on and Haque’s boundary against Abrar Ahmed, demonstrated the right balance of attack and defense.
For Pakistan, the lack of early wickets in this session was a setback. They will need to regroup during the lunch break and come up with a plan to break this partnership early. With Bangladesh just 63 runs away from victory, the next session will be crucial.
Pakistan’s hopes rest on getting quick wickets and putting pressure back on the middle order. They might consider introducing more fielders around the bat to create pressure or bringing back their main strike bowlers, Mir Hamza and Khurram Shahzad, immediately after lunch.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will aim to continue in the same vein. They need to avoid unnecessary risks while picking off the bad balls to edge closer to the target. With experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, and Litton Das yet to bat, they are in a strong position. The pitch is flattening out and the conditions are becoming more batting-friendly, which further tilts the balance in their favor.
Conclusion
As it stands, Bangladesh are in the driver’s seat with a historic victory in sight. The first session has set up what promises to be an intriguing second session, with Pakistan looking for breakthroughs and Bangladesh aiming to knock off the remaining runs. With a series win within reach, all eyes will be on Shanto and Haque as they resume the chase post-lunch
