Rawalpindi, 22 August 2024: A 240-run fifth wicket partnership between Rizwan & Saud put Pakistan in a leading position beside Bangladesh. In the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Rizwan, who continued second day’s play at 24 in Pakistan’s 158 for four, returned unbeaten on a career-best 171. Saud started the actions at 57 and was dismissed after scoring 141, as Pakistan declared their first innings at 448. When play ended an on extended day, Bangladesh were 27 for no loss in 12 overs.
It was a third century each for Rizwan (31st Test) and Saud (11th Test) as the two batter sent the Bangladesh bowlers on a leather chase on a wicket that continued to support the fast bowlers. Rizwan, whose preceding best was beside South Africa. It was a second century at this venue, while the third was in Karachi against Australia.
Rizwan & Saud Scores in brief (day 2 of 5):
Pakistan (1st innings) 448-6d (Mohammad Rizwan 171 not out, Saud Shakeel 141, Saim Ayub 56, Shaheen Shah Afridi 29 not out; Hasan Mahmud 2-70, Shoriful Islam 2-77)
For Saud, it was his first century at Rawalpindi Stadium after his earlier two were in Karachi & Galle.
Rizwan punctuated his 239-ball knock with 11 fours and three sixes, while Saud struck nine fours in his 261-ball innings. Rizwan was dropped twice during his innings, while Saud lived a close run-out before being stumped off Mehidy Hasan Miraz that gave wicket-keeper Litton Das his third scalp of the innings.
After the 240-run fifth wicket partnership that ended with Saud dismissal. Rizwan put on 44 runs for the sixth wicket with Salman Ali Agha (19). And an unbroken 50 runs for the seventh wicket with Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose 24-ball 29 not out included a four and two sixes.
Neither Hasan Mahmud nor Shoriful Islam managed to pick up any wickets on the second day. In which Pakistan scored 290 runs in 72 overs and finished with two for 70 and two for 77, respectively.
Bangladesh (1st innings) 27-0
