Khairul Alam From Mirpur Stadium – At one stage, reaching the 400-run mark seemed like a distant dream for the Tigers. However, a late-order blitz from Taskin Ahmed ensured Bangladesh posted a solid total of 413 runs in 117.1 overs during their first innings of the Mirpur Test.
Early Setbacks on Day 2
Bangladesh resumed the second day at a comfortable 301/4. Veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das started the morning cautiously, navigating the first ten overs without much trouble.
The partnership was broken when Litton, trying to pull a ball well outside off-stump, was caught at mid-on off Mohammad Abbas for 33.
The middle order struggled to capitalize further. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10) became Abbas’s third victim, caught at point by Imam-ul-Haq.
Taijul Islam followed shortly after, scoring 17 before falling to a sharp bouncer from Abbas. Bangladesh headed into the lunch break at 380/7.
Mushfiqur’s Milestone and the Tail-End Fight
Returning from lunch, Bangladesh suffered a major blow on the third delivery. Mushfiqur Rahim, celebrating his 39th birthday with a gritty 29th career half-century, was cleaned up by a stunning delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi. His patient 71 off 179 balls included 8 boundaries.
When Ebadot Hossain fell for a duck—handing Mohammad Abbas his five-wicket haul—Bangladesh was reeling at 384/9, and the 400-run milestone looked unlikely.
Taskin’s Fireworks
Taskin Ahmed took charge of the situation, smashing a six off Abbas to bring up the team’s 400.
His entertaining 26 off 19 balls (3 fours, 1 six) finally ended when Saud Shakeel took a brilliant catch at second slip off Shaheen Afridi. Nahid Rana remained unbeaten on 4.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers with 5/74, while Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed 3 wickets.