In a thrilling display of skill and perseverance, Mushfiqur Rahim scored his first Test century against Pakistan during the ongoing PAK vs BAN series. As the match progressed on the fourth day, Rahim’s stellar innings became the highlight of the game, earning praise from fans and cricket experts alike.
The day began with high expectations from Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das, who aimed to extend their partnership and build a solid foundation for Bangladesh. However, their hopes were dashed when Liton Das fell short, being dismissed by Naseem Shah in the final ball of the 101st over. Das’s wicket, after a commendable knock of 56 runs, gave Pakistan a much-needed breakthrough, breaking the 114-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Rahim and Das.
Despite this setback, Mushfiqur Rahim maintained his composure and continued to anchor Bangladesh’s innings. He played with great determination, and before the lunch break, he reached his century off 200 balls during the 116th over. This milestone not only marked his first Test century against Pakistan but also underscored his vital role in the Bangladesh batting lineup.
Record Partnership with Mehidy Hasan
Mushfiqur Rahim found a dependable partner in Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and together, they forged a record-breaking 196-run partnership for the seventh wicket. This partnership was instrumental in pushing Bangladesh’s total to a formidable score. Rahim’s outstanding knock of 191 runs, which included 22 fours and 1 six, was a masterclass in patience and skill. Unfortunately, he fell just nine runs short of what would have been a well-deserved double century, losing his wicket to Mohammad Ali in the 157th over. Rahim’s innings, spanning 341 balls, left fans and Rahim himself with a sense of unfulfilled potential, but his contribution was nothing short of spectacular.
Mehidy Hasan also played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s innings, scoring 77 runs from 179 balls, including 6 boundaries. He eventually succumbed to Shahid Afridi’s bowling in the 167th over, offering a catch to Salman Ali Agha. His resilient innings further solidified Bangladesh’s position in the match. Lower down the order, Shoriful Islam added a quickfire 22 runs off just 14 balls, providing a late flourish to the innings.
Pakistan’s Bowling Effort
On the bowling front, Pakistan struggled to contain the Bangladeshi batsmen, but there were some standout performances. Naseem Shah was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 93 runs in his 27.3 overs. His dismissal of Liton Das was particularly crucial in breaking the dangerous partnership. Shaheen Afridi, Khurram Shehzad, and Mohammad Ali each contributed with 2 wickets, but they were unable to prevent Bangladesh from posting a significant total.
Shoriful Islam Strikes Early in Pakistan’s Second Innings
As Pakistan began their second innings, they faced an early setback with the dismissal of opener Saim Ayub. Shoriful Islam struck in just the third over, removing Ayub for a mere 1 run. The ball, pitched at a good length, found the outside edge of Ayub’s bat and was comfortably caught by wicketkeeper Liton Das. This early blow was a stark contrast to Ayub’s first innings performance, where he had scored a solid 56 runs. His failure to replicate that success in the second innings left Pakistan in a vulnerable position.
Social Media Reactions
The day’s play triggered a flurry of reactions on social media, with fans from both nations expressing their thoughts on the match. Mushfiqur Rahim’s near-double century was widely celebrated, with many hailing it as one of his finest innings. The record partnership between Rahim and Mehidy Hasan was also a hot topic, with fans lauding their resilience and teamwork.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s early loss of Saim Ayub in the second innings raised concerns among their supporters, who were hoping for a strong start to chase down Bangladesh’s lead. The dismissal highlighted the challenges that Pakistan’s batting lineup would face as they attempt to navigate the remaining overs.
As the fourth day of the PAK vs BAN Test match came to a close, Bangladesh found themselves in a commanding position, thanks to the heroics of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan. Pakistan, trailing by a significant margin, will need to regroup and put up a strong fight in their second innings if they hope to turn the match in their favor. The final day promises to be an exciting conclusion to what has already been an enthralling Test match, with both teams still in with a chance to claim victory.
