Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam struck twice in the morning session of the Dhaka Test to ruin a cautious start of Pakistan at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
At the lunch of day one, Pakistan were batting at 78 for two, with Azhar Ali and captain Babar Azam remaining unbeaten at 6 and 8, respectively.
Bangladesh made three changes to the playing XI of Chattogram. Saif Hassan was ruled out due to a fever while Yasir Ali and Abu Jayed Rahi were also overlooked to pave the way for the debutant Mahmudul Hasan Joy, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and bowler Khaled Ahmed.
Both Bangladeshi pacers — Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed — failed to make an imperious start as their early spells ended with bowling only nine overs. Ebadot bowled five overs, and Khaled, who returned to Test after more than two years, bowled four overs without a bit of luck.
In contrast, Taijul staged some wonderful bowling displays with a good amount of bounce that often made the batters uncomfortable in the middle.
Pakistan posted 59 on the board for the first wicket before Taijul removed Abdullah Shafique, 25, who was impressive in his debut in Chattogram. It was a sneaky arm ball by Taijul. Shafique was hoping for a turn, but the ball shattered his off stump.
Taijul also removed the other opener, Abid Ali, 39, who hit a ton and a well-composed 91 in Chattogram. This time, Abid tried to cut the ball but an inside edge sent it to the stumps.
With this Test, Shakib returned to Mirpur in white after almost three years. The sooner he comes back with his bowling glory in this Test, the sooner the Tigers can bundle the tourists.
Source: United News of Bangladesh