August 23, 2024

Mani and Peterson Shine as Bowlers Dominate, Darke Extends Lead

Pakistan pushed hard, but the three-hour first session was always challenging. Despite their efforts, they went two hours without a boundary until Shadman finally broke the drought on the 24th. Shaheen Afridi offered up a couple of easy deliveries, which Shadman capitalized on, driving a half-volley to the cover boundary and punching a full-toss back past the bowler. He stepped out to Salman Ali Agha and drove him through the covers for another boundary, bringing him into the 40s.

Naseem Shah returned to the attack, but his early success unraveled as he conceded three fours in his last two overs before lunch. Mominul Haque hit two in a row—first, a cheeky uppercut over the slips, followed by a deliberate shot to flat-bat a short ball wide of mid-on. Shadman closed the session with a pull shot that brought up his fifty.

Shadman and Mominul built a 94-run partnership for the third wicket before Shahzad broke through in the fourth over after lunch. The dismissal was similar to Zakir’s: a full-length ball from around the wicket drew Mominul half-forward, and the inward seam movement pierced the bat-pad gap.

Pakistan nearly had two lbw dismissals soon after. Shahzad reviewed a not-out call against Mushfiqur Rahim, and Shadman reviewed an outcall from a Salman Ali Agha delivery. Both decisions went in Bangladesh’s favor.

As the second session progressed, Shadman accelerated, racing from 64 to 93 in just 25 balls, hitting six fours along the way. However, Ali struck with the last ball before tea, bowling Shadman through the gate with a delivery that nipped back into the left-hander.

Emma de Broughe battled harsh conditions against India’s spinners to score a half-century, only to be controversially given out and caught behind off-legspinner Priya Mishra. She appeared unconvinced by the decision.

Earlier, India A resumed their innings at 100 for 2 but quickly found themselves in trouble as Peterson dismantled the middle order. Her first wicket came when a delivery moved late to knock out Tejal Hasabnis’ off stump. She then produced an outswinger, resulting in opener Shweta Sehrawat being caught behind.

Peterson was on a hat-trick when Sajana Sajeevan got a leading edge to a full toss that looped into the off side. Although Uma Chetry survived the hat-trick ball, she soon fell to Peterson, edging a delivery to slip after a deflection off the keeper.

India A’s collapse saw them lose five wickets for 27 runs. Still, some valuable contributions from the lower order helped them close in on Australia A’s total.

Shadman, Mushfiqur, and Litton Narrow Bangladesh’s Deficit

Bangladesh’s batters intensely fought against Pakistan’s bowlers in the Rawalpindi Test, making for a fierce battle for first-innings supremacy.

Bangladesh initially faced some early pressure on a hot third day, marked by sessions of varying lengths to accommodate Friday prayers. However, they soon took control. Shadman Islam laid the groundwork for their resistance with patient 93, which spanned over five-and-a-half hours. His effort was further supported by half-centuries from Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Litton Das. By stumps, Bangladesh was five wickets down and 132 runs behind

total. Mushfiqur and Litton were unbeaten at the crease, adding an unbroken 98-run partnership.

Litton joined Mushfiqur at a crucial juncture in Bangladesh’s innings. Mohammad Ali had dismissed Shadman with the last ball before tea, and Shakib Al Hasan fell soon after, chipping a catch to cover off the part-time spin of Saim Ayub. However, the sixth-wicket pair quickly took control, scoring at more than five runs per over and launching a counterattack against Pakistan’s pace bowlers when they took the second new ball late in the day. Bangladesh added 67 runs in the last 11 overs, with Litton showcasing brilliant strokeplay.

The highlight of Bangladesh’s innings came in the 89th over, the 77th of the day, when Litton Das took on Naseem Shah. Litton stepped out and chipped the first ball back over the bowler’s head for a one-bounce four. He then showcased his pulling and hooking skills, smashing two more fours and a massive six over square leg, racing past his half-century. That over alone went for 18 runs.

The highlight of Bangladesh’s innings came in the 89th over, the 77th of the day, when Litton Das took on Naseem Shah. Litton stepped out and chipped the first ball back over the bowler’s head for a one-bounce four. He then showcased his pulling and hooking skills, smashing two more fours and a massive six over square leg, racing past his half-century. That over alone went for 18 runs.

Naseem, who had been economical, conceding just 15 runs in his first 12 overs while also picking up a wicket, gave away 62 runs in his last eight overs. This shift mirrored Pakistan’s overall performance: Bangladesh’s scoring rate increased from 2.97 in the first session to 3.33 in the second and then surged to 5.08 in the third.

Despite this late onslaught, Pakistan still holds a 132-run lead. It will start day four, knowing it is just two wickets away from exposing Bangladesh’s lower order. Pakistan had to work hard for the five wickets it claimed in conditions that became favorable for batting once the first new ball lost its shine. Their discipline and persistence throughout the day ensured that Bangladesh had to put in a significant effort to achieve their late scoring spree.

Beginning the day at 27 without loss, Bangladesh managed only 12 runs in the first 12 overs before the drinks break, losing Zakir Hasan. Naseem and Shaheen Shah Afridi were relentless, probing the batters with channel movement and challenging their on-the-up shots. Bangladesh’s top three survived mainly through a mix of skill, good judgment, and a bit of luck.

Naseem Shah’s promising start to the day took a turn for the worse just before lunch as he conceded three fours in his final two overs. Mominul Haque struck two of these in consecutive deliveries—a clever uppercut over the slips, followed by a well-planned step back to flat-bat a short-of-length ball wide of mid-on. Shadman Islam ended the session with a pulled four, bringing up his fifty.

Shadman and Mominul built a solid 94-run partnership for the third wicket, but Shahzad broke their stand in the fourth over after lunch. The dismissal was almost identical to Zakir Hasan’s earlier: a full-length delivery from around the wicket drew Mominul half-forward, and the ball’s inward seam movement slipped through the gap between bat and pad.

Pakistan nearly secured two lbw dismissals shortly after. Shahzad reviewed a not-out call against Mushfiqur Rahim on an inswinger. Shadman reviewed an out call from an offspinner, Salman Ali Agha Slider. However, both decisions went in Bangladesh’s favor.

As the second session progressed, Shadman became increasingly dangerous, accelerating from 64 to 93 in just 25 balls, hitting six fours along the way. However, Ali mirrored Shahzad’s earlier tactic and dismissed Shadman with the last ball before tea—a delivery from around the wicket that nipped back into the left-hander, bowling him through the gate.