September 2, 2024

Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana Lead Bangladesh to the Brink of a Historic Series Sweep

Bangladesh is chasing a target of 185 runs against Pakistan and currently needs 143 more runs with all ten wickets remaining. The scoreboard reads Bangladesh at 262 and 42 for 0, with Zakir on 31 not out, while Pakistan’s scores are 274 and 172.

In a dominant display, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana took nine wickets, bringing Bangladesh closer to a 2-0 series sweep on the fourth day of the second Test in Rawalpindi. Mahmud, who had already taken two wickets late on the third day, added three more on the fourth day, achieving his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket with figures of 5 for 43 in 10.4 overs. Rana also recorded his best Test bowling figures with 4 for 44. Pakistan was bowled out for 172 in their second innings, setting Bangladesh a target of 185. Notably, this match marked the first time in Bangladesh’s Test history that all ten wickets were taken by fast bowlers, with Taskin Ahmed claiming the remaining wicket.

Zakir Hasan played positively, scoring an unbeaten 31 off just 23 balls, including two fours and two sixes. His aggressive batting helped Bangladesh knock off 42 runs from the target in just seven overs. Shadman Islam supported him with 9 not out when bad light and rain caused an early end to the day, shortly after tea. Bangladesh now needs 143 more runs on the final day to secure their third Test series win abroad and the first since their 1-0 victory in Zimbabwe in 2021.

Earlier, Pakistan resumed their innings at 9 for 2 with a lead of 21 runs, and things initially looked promising. Shan Masood and Saim Ayub started positively, with Masood driving Taskin Ahmed down the ground and Ayub flicking him off his pads. Despite a few close calls, the pair added 34 runs in the first 6.2 overs of the day and appeared in control.

However, the game turned when Ayub attempted a loose drive off a full delivery from Taskin and was caught by Najmul Hossain Shanto at mid-off. Babar Azam started his innings with a sharp square cut but struggled to find his usual rhythm. He survived a close LBW call against Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with replays showing the ball missing the leg stump.

Nahid Rana was introduced into the attack in the 17th over and made an immediate impact. He dismissed Masood, who edged a half-hearted drive to the wicketkeeper. Nahid then had Babar caught at first slip with a delivery that bounced more than expected. He nearly dismissed Mohammad Rizwan on the first ball, but Shadman Islam, who had just taken a catch, dropped a similar chance.

Nahid Rana was a constant threat, even when he wasn’t taking wickets. He consistently bowled at speeds over 140 kph, using his high-arm action to generate awkward bounce. He kept both edges of the bat in play and even struck Mohammad Rizwan on the helmet with a sharp bouncer. Rizwan, visibly shaken, had to call the physio multiple times but continued batting.

Nahid claimed his third wicket when Saud Shakeel edged a simple catch to Litton Das, leaving Pakistan in trouble at 81 for 6 after being 47 for 2. Rizwan and Salman Agha ensured Pakistan didn’t lose any more wickets before lunch, extending the lead to 129.

After lunch, Rizwan, still feeling the effects of the bouncer and looking for quick runs, struggled against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling. Mahmud, who wasn’t as sharp in the morning, focused on the off-stump line, eventually drawing a false shot from Rizwan, who edged to the wicketkeeper. The very next ball, Mahmud had Mohammad Ali caught at first slip.

Although the hat-trick was avoided, Abrar Ahmed lasted only 12 balls before becoming Nahid’s fourth victim, reducing Pakistan to 145 for 9. Salman Agha managed to add crucial runs with the lower order, putting together a 27-run partnership with Mir Hamza. However, Mahmud ended Pakistan’s innings by taking his fifth wicket, with the ball deflecting off an inside edge onto the pad and lobbing to Mehidy Hasan at second slip. Mahmud celebrated by bowing to the turf, holding the ball aloft as he led his team off the field.

Pakistan needed early wickets to stay in the game, but Zakir Hasan dashed those hopes with an aggressive start. He used his footwork effectively, charging at the bowlers and smashing Khurram Shahzad for two sixes—one over long leg and another over deep backward square leg—as Bangladesh raced to 37 for no loss in six overs by tea. Only one more over was possible after the break before bad light forced play to be halted.

SA20: Sunrisers Start Title Defense at Home; Final to be Held at Wanderers

SuperSport Park will host the eliminator and the second qualifier on back-to-back days, marking the first time in the tournament’s history that the playoffs will be held in Centurion.

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape, two-time SA20 champions, will start their title defense at home, with St George’s Park set to host the opening match of the new season. This Gqberha venue will also host the first qualifier after the 30-match league phase, determining which team will advance directly to the final, scheduled to be played at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium.

The Wanderers, South Africa’s largest cricket venue with a capacity of over 30,000, hosted the inaugural SA20 final. In contrast, Newlands hosted the final in the second season. The decision to move the final back to Johannesburg might be related to the stadium’s larger capacity.

SuperSport Park will host the eliminator and the second qualifier on consecutive days, marking the second time the playoffs will be held in Centurion in the tournament’s history. So far, Kingsmead in Durban and Boland Park in Paarl are the only venues that have yet to host significant playoff matches.

The SA20 season kicks off on January 9 with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape facing MI Cape Town. The tournament will follow the same format as the previous season, where each team plays home and away matches against every other team before advancing to the playoffs. The total number of matches remains 34.

“We’re thrilled to start the season in Gqeberha with our defending champions and look forward to an action-packed summer of cricket. As we welcome international talent to the roaring pool of local stars, we aim to deliver an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike,” SA20 league commissioner Graeme Smith announced that the squads for the upcoming season are nearly complete. Each of the six teams has already signed between 14 and 17 players, leaving just a few spots open. The final players will be selected through an auction on October 1.