Khairul Alam From Sylhet– Speedster Nahid Rana starred with the ball once again as Bangladesh secured a crucial 46-run first-innings lead, bowling Pakistan out for 232 on Day 2 of the second Test in Sylhet.
Earlier, Bangladesh had posted 278 runs in their first innings. Resuming the post-tea session at a precarious 206 for 8 after 55 overs, Pakistan’s tail was quickly blown away by Rana, despite some late fireworks from Sajid Khan.
Rana struck in the very first over after the tea break. On the third ball of the 56th over, Khurram Shahzad (10) attempted a pull shot off a short delivery but only managed to top-edge it. Mahmudul Hasan Joy made no mistake, safely catching the ball in the sky.
Pakistan could have been bundled out for 207 on the very next ball, but Joy dropped a catch at short leg off Mohammad Abbas, hurting his left hand in the process.
Capitalizing on the reprieve, Sajid Khan went on the counter-attack, smashing Taijul Islam for three consecutive sixes in the 57th over.
However, Sajid’s cameo did not last long. In the 58th over, Rana induced a thick edge from Sajid as he tried to hit another boundary. Tanzid Hasan Tamim sprinted from short third man and took a brilliant diving catch, which was confirmed by the third umpire.
Sajid was dismissed after a quick-fire knock, leaving Pakistan bowled out for 232. Former captain Babar Azam top-scored for the visitors with a resilient 68.
Earlier in the morning, Pakistan had resumed their innings at 6 for no loss. The opening session belonged to Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, whose tandem strikes reduced Pakistan to 79 for 4 in 24.5 overs.
Babar Azam then anchored the innings alongside Salman Ali Agha, putting up a 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket, during which Babar slammed his 31st Test half-century.
It was Nahid Rana who broke the dangerous partnership by removing Babar, who departed after scoring 68 off 84 balls, including 10 boundaries.
While Taskin and Miraz dominated the first session, the final two sessions belonged completely to Rana and Taijul Islam as Pakistan collapsed dramatically, losing their last 6 wickets for just 90 runs.
Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam picked up three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two scalps apiece.