• Taskin Ahmed trapped Abdullah Shafique for a duck in the first over of the first innings on Day 2.

  • Bangladesh entered the second Test as victors and will be looking forward to seal the series win with a whitewash.

PAK vs BAN [WATCH]: Abdullah Shafique goes packing by Taskin Ahmed’s beautiful inswinger on Day 2 of the 2nd Test
Abdullah Shafique goes packing by Taskin Ahmed’s beautiful inswinger on Day 2 of the 2nd Test (Images source: X)

The second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium saw a dramatic start on Day 2, with the hosts losing their early wicket to a brilliant delivery from Taskin Ahmed.

After a rain-washed day one, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field on a green-tinged pitch, hoping to exploit Pakistan’s vulnerabilities against swing bowling. The decision proved to be a masterstroke as Taskin, making his comeback to the team, struck in the very first over.

Abdullah Shafique falls to Taskin Ahmed’s inswinger

Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique, who had been in impressive form in the series, was dismissed for a duck. Taskin, bowling a good-length delivery that shaped back into the right-hander, tempted Shafique into a forward prod. However, the batter’s bat came down at an angle, leaving a gap between bat and pad. The ball crashed into the top of off-stump, sending Shafique packing.

Taskin’s wicket was a significant blow to Pakistan, who were looking to bounce back from their defeat in the first Test. The early breakthrough boosted Bangladesh’s morale, and they continued to apply pressure on the Pakistan batting lineup.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: Ahmad Shahzad blames PCB for Pakistan’s embarrassing 10-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test

Pakistan’s first inning struggles

Despite the early setback, Pakistan’s batting order is capable to establish a solid partnership. The pitch, with its generous amount of grass will continue to assist the bowlers, making it difficult for the batters to score runs freely.

Bangladesh’s dominant display

Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Taskin and the experienced Shakib al Hasan, will be looking to bowl in disciplined and accurate line and length. They consistently troubled the Pakistan batters, forcing them to play defensive shots and preventing them from scoring freely.

Pakistan’s fightback plan

As the day progresses, Pakistan’s batting order will indeed start showing some resilience, with Babar Azam and Shan Masood being the king pin in attempting to rebuild the innings. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers remain relentless, and Pakistan’s fightback will have a tough thing to establish after a shaky start on this track.

Pakistan are struggling to recover from their early setbacks. Bangladesh’s dominant performance has put them in a strong position to secure a series victory. The next session would be crucial for Pakistan, as they would need to bat responsibly and build a competitive total to stay in the contest.

Also READ: Babar Azam slips in ICC Test rankings; Mohammad Rizwan, Harry Brook move up in the batting chart

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About the Author:
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.