RAWALPINDI: Feb7, 2020
Lanky paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi took four wickets to help Pakistan dismiss Bangladesh for a paltry 233 on the opening day of the first Test in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Shaheen recorded figures of 4-53 in 21.5 overs and was ably assisted by fellow pacer Mohammad Abbas (2-19) and spinner Haris Sohail (2-11) to justify Pakistan's decision to send Bangladesh in to bat on a greenish-yellow Rawalpindi stadium pitch.
Pakistan were due to bat for five overs but bad light forced umpires to call it a day.
Bangladesh could have been bowled out for inside 200 had it not been for a defiant display of batting from Mohammad Mithun who top-scored with 63 including seven fours and a six in his 193-minute stand.
Bangladesh were reeling against pace at 161-6 when Mithun added an invaluable 53 run stand for the seventh wicket with Taijul Islam who made a resolute 24.
It was Sohail who had Islam caught by Yasir Shah before Pakistan wiped off the tail with the second new ball as 16-year-old Naseem Shah ended Mithun's resistance, getting him caught behind. Shaheen said he was happy to do his part. “It's my role to get wickets and I am happy that I did that,” said Shaheen, who played down not getting a five-wicket haul.
“You aim at improving your figures but the beauty of Test cricket is that you don't always break records.
“Other team also comes to play and it was unlucky that the last man got run out. AFP
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