Mehidy Hasan Miraz seized the day with an outstanding five wicket haul which dented Pakistan. The off spinner led the bowling group with his deadly bowling and castled the batsmen with his subtle changes in pace. It was his 14th five-wicket haul in test cricket and 7th at Mirpur. Mehidy Hasan Miraz‘s haul pushed the visitors on the backfoot and has left the test in balance.
Azan Awias’ Century; Bangladesh fightback with 4 wickets in morning session
The Pakistani openers Imam U Haq and debutant Azan Awais showed immense maturity and solidarity as both shared a record century stand. Imam missed out on a fifty, but the debutant ensured that he does not miss out as he scored a century. Pakistan has so far bowled 42 extras. compiled first and second innings, as it bowled 37 in the first innings and gave away 5 extra runs in the second innings.
21-year-old Azan became the 14th player to score a century on debut after Kamran Ghulam. Pakistan was cruising due to the platform laid by the openers and the middle order chipped in with valuable runs. Abdullah Fazal paired with Azan Awais, for another century partnership crumbled the hosts. As far as Bangladesh is concerned it only gave away 25 extra runs which shows a stark difference in the bowling between the two teams.
In spite of the century Bangladesh kept things in control by removing four of the Pakistan’s batsmen early on day three. Particularly the consecutive wickets of Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel forced Pakistan to go on the backfoot. For Bangladesh Taskin Ahmed starred with figures of 2-70 after bowling 18 overs while Taijul Islam 2-45 in 11.3 overs gave good support to Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Pakistan’s score was 251-5 in 71 overs at the end of morning session.
Mohammad Rizwan & Salman Ali Agha steady ship in the afternoon session
Pakistan’s batting had depth as it minimized the deficit. Mohammed Rizwan and Salman Agha each scored fifties and it felt like Pakistan was simply bossing the game after lunch as they stitched the partnership of 119 runs, but two quick wickets tilted the game suddenly in the favor of Bangladesh. Pakistan’s solid fightback has brought them back in the game, and it would be some heist if Pakistan spins the ball as much as Miraz did.
The damage was already done, Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha led Pakistan’s fightback. Added to this was the lower order’s stern approach. Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi’s 40-run partnership ensured that Pakistan brought the deficit under 50 runs, which applied pressure on the home side. Noman Ali played 26 balls to score his first run, which was an unusual record.
However, it will be a test of two halves for Pakistan and Bangladesh as the home team has a slight advantage of the 34 runs lead, but the visitors will ensure that the lead does not swell and hurt them in the fourth innings. Mehdy Hasan Miraz used all the tricks in his quartet to bamboozle the Pakistani batsmen.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s Fifer Rocks Pakistan
Very often in a test match, the third day is the most crucial because the test match seems to gather little pace from the third day. The pitch was a typical test match wicket offering spin, and the home side used it to its advantage, as Mehidy Hasan Miraz wasted no time. Miraz’s line and length were on the money, and it troubled the opposition. This pitch was turning sharply, and it would be even more threatening on the final two days, considering the amount of spin on the third day.
The Bangladeshi spinner picked up his 14th five wicket haul in test and his seventh overall at Mirpur which shows his hunger and desire to play at Mirpur and his unending love for test cricket. Pakistan has done supremely well to drag the deficit under 40 but the Bangladesh batting is as good as it was in the first innings. On a spinning track, Bangladesh had two spinners, but Pakistan has only one and the experience of Noman Ali will be extremely vital for Pakistan on the fourth Morning. Unfortunately, the rain played its part which delayed the start of the final session, but it has been a gripping day so far.
What will Day Four bring?
Day four will be crucial for the teams and especially for the hosts. Bangladesh has seven runs on the board at the end of the third day but, most importantly, it has all 10 wickets in hand, which will give huge confidence heading into day four. Heading into day four, Bangladesh must bat and extend the lead to at least 200 to ensure Pakistan is thrown out of the game. Pakistan’s spin bowling will be tested yet again but given the weather conditions, it is expected that a large part of the play may be called off and the match will start late.
Bangladesh and Pakistan await the start of day four as the fans gather in excitement. Mehdy Hasan Miraz was the hero for Bangladesh who can be Pakistan’s hero?
Also Read:Â BAN vs PAK: Azan Awais’ Steady Unbeaten Knock Headlines Pakistan’s Fightback