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October 10, 2024
Agha Salman’s unbeaten 79 helped Pakistan reach 515 for 8 at Tea on Day 2 of the first Test in Multan, extending the innings into the fifth session. After a 50-run partnership with Saud Shakeel, who fell just 18 runs short of a century, Salman continued to frustrate the English bowlers alongside Shaheen Afridi, adding another 50-run stand for the ninth wicket.
Unlike their aggressive approach on Day 1, Pakistan played more cautiously on Tuesday. Nightwatchman Naseem Shah held his ground for nearly 90 minutes, allowing Shakeel to accumulate runs. Brydon Carse eventually broke the partnership, earning his first Test wicket when Naseem was caught at short fine leg after a patient 33 off 81 balls.
Just before the Lunch break, England got a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Mohammad Rizwan. Attempting to hit Jack Leach over the in-field, Rizwan failed to get enough height and was caught at mid-off for a duck, giving the English bowlers some relief on a challenging pitch.
However, England couldn’t capitalize as Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman continued to pile on the runs after Lunch. Salman came out aggressively, hitting two boundaries off Leach in the first over after the break. He nearly got out when Chris Woakes caught him at long-off, but Woakes’ momentum carried him over the boundary, allowing Salman to stay at the crease. The very next ball, Salman hit Leach for a six over long-on.
England made two quick breakthroughs, both occurring around the drinks break. First, a classic off-spinner’s delivery tempted Saud Shakeel into an edge, which was caught in the slips. Shortly after, Brydon Carse trapped Aamer Jamal leg-before, putting pressure on Pakistan’s lower order and threatening a swift conclusion to their innings.
Despite the setbacks, Shaheen Afridi and Agha Salman held their ground, frustrating the English bowlers for nearly an hour before the Tea break. Their resilience helped Pakistan reach a solid score, reflecting the efforts of the top order.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 515/8 (Shan Masood 151, Abdullah Shafique 102; Brydon Carse 2-74) vs England.
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Bangladesh’s long-serving all-rounder Mahmudullah has announced his retirement from T20 internationals following the three-match series against India. The 38-year-old made his T20I debut in 2007 against Kenya, marking a remarkable 17-year and 35-day career, making him the third-longest-serving player in T20I history, behind his teammate Shakib Al Hasan and Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams. While Mahmudullah retired from Test cricket in 2021, he plans to continue playing ODIs, where he has already made an impact, being Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in the 2023 Men’s World Cup with 328 runs.
Mahmudullah’s retirement follows Shakib’s recent announcement to step away from T20Is immediately during the second Test in Kanpur. The all-rounder expressed that he had decided to retire after the India series to focus on ODIs, especially after his successful World Cup performance last year. He is looking forward to upcoming challenges, including a three-match ODI series in the West Indies in December and the Champions Trophy in 2025.
“First of all, yes I’m retiring from the T20I cricket after the last game of this series. Actually I was pretty decided before coming here. I had talked with my family, captain and coach. And with the selector and the board president as well that I’m retiring from this format. I think it’s right time to move on from this format and try to focus on the ODIs that’s coming ahead. I think going forward, it is the right time for me and the team as well to look forward to the next world cup. I think this is the right time to call.”
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Reflecting on his career, Mahmudullah described the 2016 T20 World Cup defeat to India as his most frustrating moment. In contrast, he listed the Nidahas Trophy in 2018 as his favorite highlight. During that tournament, he played a pivotal role, scoring 43 runs off just 18 balls to help Bangladesh secure a thrilling victory over hosts Sri Lanka in the semi-final, although the team ultimately lost in the final.
Throughout the Nidahas Trophy, Mahmudullah showcased his talent, achieving an impressive strike rate of 157.38. This performance not only solidified his status as a key player for Bangladesh but also left a lasting impact on fans and teammates alike, marking a significant moment in his T20I career.
“Most frustrating moment was in Bangalore 2016 against India. Probably one of the most life-changing moments for me because that was a big learning curve for me. And great moment probably in Nidahas Trophy (2018) the match that we won against Sri Lanka.”
Mahmudullah has accumulated a total of 2,395 runs in 139 T20I matches, boasting an impressive strike rate of 117.74. In addition to his batting achievements, he has also taken 40 wickets, showcasing his all-round capabilities in the format.
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