Miraz’s Five-Wicket Haul Gives Bangladesh Lead Over Pakistan
Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered an impressive bowling performance to help Bangladesh gain a 27-run lead against Pakistan in the first Test match at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.
After a rain delay interrupted play on day three, Pakistan resumed their innings at 349 for 6 but faltered in the post-tea session, losing four wickets and managing to add only 37 runs. This collapse was marked by reckless shot selection from the visiting side’s lower order, which Miraz capitalized on with his spin bowling.
Miraz finished with figures of 5 wickets for 102 runs, his five-wicket haul propelling Bangladesh into a stronger position. Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam supported well, picking up two wickets each while Nahid Rana claimed one.
Earlier in the innings, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan had stitched together a vital 119-run partnership which steadied Pakistan after early wickets. Rizwan scored 59 runs before being caught at mid-off just as the tea session concluded, while Agha remained unbeaten on 58 with notable boundaries, including a six.
The Pakistani innings began precariously at 179 for 1 after Bangladesh had put up a total of 413. Azan Awais, making his debut, scored a century with 104 runs, including 14 boundaries, before Taskin Ahmed tore through the top order to claim his wicket. The Pakistani captain Shan Masood’s dismissal for nine further unsettled the batting lineup, and subsequent wickets fell quickly.
Despite the collapse, Rizwan and Agha’s partnership helped Pakistan recover somewhat and reduce the deficit. However, the middle and lower order failed to capitalize, and Miraz’s disciplined bowling led to wickets at crucial junctures.
At the close of play on day three, Bangladesh led by 27 runs, setting the stage for what promises to be a tightly contested Test match between the neighboring rivals.