Rizwan throws bat at Babar during Bangladesh Test. During the second day of the initial Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam displayed their friendship in a memorable instance. Following Pakistan’s declaration of their first innings at 448/6, Rizwan, with an unbeaten 171 from 239 balls, received applause from his teammates at the boundary line. While returning to the dressing room, Rizwan playfully tossed his bat to Babar Azam, who caught it with a grin.
The pair had a good laugh together, underscoring their close connection and the fun side of cricket. This heartwarming moment was recorded in a popular social media video, showing Rizwan and Babar sharing a laugh while fielding against Bangladesh. Their relationship and admiration for each other were visibly present during their performance, bringing a heartfelt element to the game’s competitiveness.
During the current Test match in Rawalpindi, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel stood out with their performances for Pakistan. Rizwan, in outstanding form, finished not out on 171, while Shakeel made a valuable hundred, aiding Pakistan in reaching a formidable total of 448-6 before deciding to end their innings. On the second day of the match, Bangladesh had a challenging beginning with their opening batsmen scoring 27 runs without losing a wicket by the end of the day. The game is set for an exciting competition, as Pakistan’s impressive score in the first innings increases the pressure on Bangladesh to come up with a strong comeback.
In the ongoing Test match, Mohammad Rizwan scored 171 runs without getting out, which was not only his highest Test score but also his third century in the format. Saud Shakeel’s remarkable 141 matched his innings in resilience and skill. Both players were crucial in saving Pakistan from a difficult situation when they were at 16-3 on Wednesday. Their collaboration displayed outstanding batting skills, enabling Pakistan to bounce back and eventually announce the declaration.
Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan, Bangladesh’s opening batsmen, displayed great composure during the second day of the Test match, with Shadman making 12 runs and Zakir adding 11 to the total. They managed to handle 12 overs of fast bowling successfully without any major issues. Despite predictions, the Rawalpindi stadium pitch did not provide significant support to the bowlers and instead was more advantageous for batting. This progress has enabled the Bangladeshi opening batsmen to secure a solid beginning, laying the groundwork for a tough yet hopeful progression of the game.
David Hemp, the batting coach of Bangladesh, was optimistic that his batters would equal their rivals.
Hemp, a former Bermuda player, stated that the batting pitch is quite good and they are hopeful it remains that way.
Our hitters need to step up and meet the level of play set by Pakistan’s top batsmen. It is important that we strive to narrow the difference and reach as near as we can to their overall amount. A disciplined and rigorous strategy is necessary to close the gap and prepare for a competitive match.
Bangladesh put Pakistan in a difficult situation on the first day, causing them to be on the defensive. Nonetheless, Saud Shakeel proved to be instrumental in steadying the innings by teaming up with Saim Ayub, who contributed 56 runs, to build a 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Shakeel’s impressive showing, paired with Rizwan’s unbeatable 171, helped in a strong comeback. The duo scored an additional 240 runs in the next overs, successfully weakening Bangladesh’s offense and consolidating Pakistan’s advantage. Their collaborations secured Pakistan’s control and established a solid base for the innings.
Mohammad Rizwan displayed strong batting skills by hitting three sixes and 11 boundaries in his 239-ball innings. His time batting was essential for Pakistan, offering steadiness and forward movement. Rizwan teamed up with Shaheen Shah Afridi to add a rapid 44 runs, with Shaheen Shah Afridi scoring a lively 29 not out. Afridi made a brief appearance with two sixes and a boundary, giving a forceful ending to Pakistan’s innings. They combined to increase the team’s overall score, causing Bangladesh to be in a difficult position, showing strong determination and dynamic scoring in the final part of their batting.