Shaheen Shah Afridi’s brilliant bowling display helped Pakistan bowl out Bangladesh for 233 at stumps on day one of the first Test at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi.
Shaheen finished with the figures of four for 53 to take the home side on top on the opening day of the Test series opener. Mohammad Abbas, on the other hand, bowled with great discipline and picked up two wickets for 19 runs. The experienced right-arm pacer bowled nine maidens out of 17 overs he bowled.
Part-time spinner Haris Sohail spun the deliveries well to claim two wickets at crucial stages. He conceded 11 runs in his six overs. Young Naseem Shah, throughout, found it hard to bowl on the right channels but in the twilight phase of the day, picked up well-set Mohammad Mithun who was providing an edge to Bangladesh while batting on 63 runs.
Mithun (63) was the top run-scorer from the visitors and the only batsman to score a half-century. The right-handed batsman’s inning was spread over seven fours and a massive six.
Earlier, Pakistan sent Bangladesh to bat first after winning the toss in the ICC Test Championship contest.
Pakistani pacers were on a roll since the start of the day as they struck both the openers in the first two overs of the match. Saif Hasan was out for a two-ball duck in his debut match.
Tamim Iqbal only managed to score three as he was trapped in legs by Abbas. The on-field umpire initially said no but a review went in favor of the green caps.
Nazmul Hossain scored 44 whereas skipper Mominul Haque scored 30. Both the batsman added 59 runs for the third wicket before Afridi broke the partnership and sent Mominul back to the pavilion. Nazmul departed just after the lunch by Abbas who set Nazmul to play a rash on the final bowl of the over.
Mithun and Liton Das (33) for the sixth wicket rescued Bangladesh after a little collapse but Haris with his golden bowl trapped Liton. It was just a matter of time as the home side bowled Bangladesh out after taking the second new ball.
