RAWALPINDI, AUG 21: Pakistan recovered after suffering early blows during the first Test against Bangladesh which is being played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
After being asked to bat first, the home side struggled greatly against Bangladesh’s pace attack as Abdullah Shafique (2), along with skipper Shan Masood (6) and Babar Azam (0) were dismissed inside the first 10 overs.
After losing three wickets, the hosts managed to comeback in the game and Saim Ayub and vice-captain Saud Shakeel formed a crucial 65-run partnership that took Pakistan out of trouble.
Before the tea break, Ayub (42 off 68) and Shakeel (28 off 32) were at the crease as Pakistan scored 81-3 in 21 overs.
Earlier today, Shan Masood decided to go with the all-pace attack in the first Test in Rawalpindi with the bowling attack consisting of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah Khurram Shehzad and Mohammad Ali.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
The match started with a delay as wet outfield due to rain made it impossible for the match officials to start the play.
A total of 48 overs will be bowled today as the last session will begin 4:40pm after the tea break. The play will continue till 6pm but can be extended by 30 minutes to complete the overs.
The Test matches between Pakistan and Bangladesh are being played as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 as both teams are eager to perform and strengthen their position on the WTC points table.
Both teams have so far locked horns in 13 matches in six Test series with the Green Shirts emerging winners in 12 of them as one ended in a draw.
Series schedule
1st Test: August 21 – 25 @ Pindi Cricket Stadium
2nd Test: August 30 – 4 September @ Pindi Cricket Stadium
