Pakistan inflict massive defeat on Bangladesh in 1st Test
RAWALPINDI (92 News) – Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 44 runs in the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
After the massive victory, Pakistan are currently placed fourth in the World Test Championship table. They are just six points adrift of third-placed England.
Resuming on 126-6 after conceding a first-innings lead of 212, Bangladesh could not make Pakistan bat again and were all out for 168. Yasir Shah (4-58) claimed two of the last four wickets but 16-year-old Naseem Shah was named man of the match after becoming the youngest bowler to claim a test hat-trick on Sunday.
The onus was on Mominul Haq (41) to try to erase the deficit but the Bangladesh skipper fell lbw to Shaheen Afridi in the very first over of the day. Mominul reviewed the decision but could not get it overturned.
Mohammad Abbas trapped Rubel Hossain (five) lbw before Yasir hastened Bangladesh’s collapse. The leg-spinner dismissed Liton Das for 29 and then induced Abu Jayed into a wild slog with Asad Shafiq running back from slip to collect the top edge.
Naseem Shah became the youngest player to claim a Test hat-trick when he dismissed three Bangladesh batsmen with successive deliveries in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Naseem, who turns 17 next week, removed Najmul Hossain, Taijul Islam and Mahmudullah before Bangladesh finished day three of the opening test on a precarious 126-6 and staring at an innings defeat.
Naseem (4-26) dismissed opener Saif Hassan earlier in the day but the right-arm quick reserved his best for the last hour at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Bassem hit Najmul on the thigh pad with a moving delivery, and although the lbw appeal was turned down, Pakistan captain Azhar Ali opted to review the umpire’s decision and replays confirmed the ball would have hit the stumps.
Nightwatchman Taijul also fell lbw and Mahmudullah edged the next ball to Haris Sohail who took a smart low catch at slip as Naseem became the fourth Pakistani to claim a test hat-trick after Wasim Akram (twice), Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Sami.
Bangladesh captain Mominul Haq (37) and Litos Das, who was yet to score, will resume on Monday hoping to muster at least the 86 runs needed to make Pakistan bat again.
Naseem Shah, who was declared Man of the Match, said: "I had an MRI, I had a muscle pull but the scan is clear. I should be able to resume bowling in two days. Picking up a hat-trick in front of your home crowd is special. They added to the support and festivities. It was great fun. I only hope I will be able to live up to the expectation of fans and team-mates."
Azhar on Rawalpindi win: "Chose to bowl on a pitch we thought would do a bit more, but it didn't. Bowlers stuck to their tasks, bowled with a lot of patience. It was a great job to bowl them out for 233, and the batsmen kicked in from there. Credit to Shan and Babar. Batting has more experience, we think that will take us forward. We also have young fast bowlers which is exciting."
Azhar on crowd support:"Fantastic, the support was superb when Sri Lanka came. Even here, they were really good. Thanks to the fans, thanks to the players for a superb show. Need to mention Naseem Shah's record, to pick up a hat-trick at a young age, he must be congratulated."
Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque: "Disappointing batting on a flat wicket. Very difficult if you get out after getting starts. No team can come back from such situations. Bangladesh winning the Under-19 World Cup is a great achievement for us, the boys have worked really hard for the last two years."
