Clinical Pakistan complete clean sweep

Final Score: Pakistan*: 470 - 107 / 3 in 20.5 overs RR: 5.14, Bangladesh: 338 - 234 in 82.1 overs RR: 2.85

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A rampaging Pakistan completed sweep across all formats against Bangladesh by clinching the second Test at Mirpur by seven wickets. In fading light, the visitors chased down the 103 run target with minimum of fuss after Nasir Hossain and Mushfiqur Rahim had frustrated them throughout the morning session to raise hopes of a draw. But, the visiting spinners prevailed to restrict Bangladesh to 234 and the job was completed by their batsmen.

Resuming on 114 for 5, Bangladesh’s chances of salvaging a draw improved due to the early morning fog that delayed start by about ninety minutes. Once play began, Nasir Hossain and Mushfiqur Rahim showed lot of fighting spirit against a varied and in-form Pakistan bowling line-up. Even though, there were a few alarms but the two stayed together throughout the first session. In the process, Bangladesh wiped the first innings deficit and even extended the lead to 68.

After Lunch, Pakistan came out with renewed vigor, especially the spinners. Nasir was clean bowled for well-made 79 by Abdur Rehman. All the good work during the 117-run stand was then undone as Mushfiqur Rahim played a reckless stroke to give Pakistan more than a sniff. Sensing victory, Ajmal and Rehman moved in for the kill and polished off the tail efficiently. Once again, a collapse saw Bangladesh lose their last five wickets for only 22.

Pakistan were set a target of 103 in about 40 overs but the rapid deterioration of light in the afternoon meant that they had to get there well before the scheduled close. Even though, Taufeeq Umar departed early in a slow start but Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali increased the tempo by playing some good shots. They added 63 in quick time before Hafeez holed out.

However, Younis Khan hit a slog sweep over mid-wicket to take the score into nineties. With just three runs needed Azhar Ali was bowled and the winning shot fittingly came from the bat of skipper Misbah-ul-Haq. His effortless hit into the stands just about summed up Pakistan’s domination in the series.

Summary: Day One

Shakib Al Hasan and Shahriar Nafees staged a remarkable recovery on the opening day, rescuing Bangladesh from an all-too-familiar top-order collapse. Their 180-run partnership helped the hosts post 234 for five after Aizaz Cheema’s three wickets had reduced them to 43 for four on a day truncated by fog and bad light.

Both Shakib and Nafees played their strokes to forge a three figure stand for Bangladesh in Tests after a gap about 18 months. After a delayed start, Misbah-ul-Haq opted to field in a bid to prise out some early wickets. And, the Pakistan captain didn’t have to wait long as Aizaz Cheema struck in his first over to send back Nazimuddin.

With the new ball jagging around under the heavy atmosphere, Cheema got two more and an Umar Gul bouncer accounted for the over-aggressive Tamim Iqbal. After only 13.2 overs, Bangladesh were staring down the barrel but thanks to the big fifth wicket stand, Bangladesh ended the day on level terms.

On a pitch, that eased out as play progressed, the Pakistan spinners got minimal assistance, thus allowing the two to score at a healthy rate. Shakib played with lot of fluency to notch his second hundred but Nafees missed the landmark by just three runs. However, he had done his job by then.

Day Two

Pakistan fought back well on the second day after Shakib Al Hasan hit a career best 144 as Bangladesh managed to post 338 in their first innings even though the last five wickets fell for just 33 runs. In reply, Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez early but Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali responded with solid batting to take their score to 87.

After another delayed start, Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim batted steadily to extend their partnership to 82 but the centurion was run out on a poor call from his skipper. Having made an error in judgment, Rahim lost concentration to be dismissed on the very next ball. The two quick wickets allowed Pakistan to limit the Bangladesh score below 350 as their lower order didn’t offer much resistance.

Pakistan’s prolific scorer this year, Hafeez started off aggressively but comeback man, Nazmul Hossain had him caught behind in the fifth over. This brought together Taufeeq and Azhar, who despite some close calls managed to stay together till the end of play. Even though, the Bangladesh spinners kept things tight but had nothing to show in the wickets column.

Day Three

The third day completely belonged to Pakistan batsmen as they progressed steadily to 292 for three with Taufeeq Umar leading the way. The left hander scored 130 and others chipped in as well, Azhar scored 57 and Younis Khan unbeaten on 49. Against a Bangladesh bowling attack that rarely threatened except with the second new ball, the batsmen chose to consolidate rather than go on an all-out attack.

With the pitch still loaded in favour of the batsmen, the hosts had to take all their chances to make their middling score count. Instead, they missed opportunities throughout the day. As a result, Pakistan reduced the deficit to 46 and looked set for a sizeable first innings lead.

The overnight pair of Taufeeq and Azhar Ali were sedate in their 127-run stand for the second wicket. True to their batting styles, the two didn’t make efforts to push the scoring even as Bangladesh made their life easy by dropping catches. Finally, Shakib induced an edge from Azhar that was held by Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps.

With catches going down in almost all the sessions of play, it was no surprise that Pakistan had the upper hand throughout the day. Taufeeq made most of the many lives and went on to score 130. It was only with the second new ball that Bangladesh bowlers troubled the batsmen with Nazmul removing the centurion. However, Younis Khan and Misbah prevented any more damage and took Pakistan close to 300.

Day Four

Despite Shakib Al Hasan’s remarkable feat of a century and a five-wicket haul in the same match, Pakistan were in charge after end of penultimate day’s play. Having scored 144 in the first innings, the Bangladesh all-rounder took six wickets as Pakistan put on 470 with a lead of 132. But, his dismissal late in the day tilted the scales in Pakistan’s favour as the hosts had lost five wickets with still 18 runs in arrears.

Bangladesh’s fielding continued to be below-par and their bowling with exception of Shakib had nothing to write home about. For Pakistan, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq hit a well-paced 70 and Adnan Akmal scored his first fifty in the longer format. With Pakistan looking for quick runs, Shakib gave nothing away and maintained a nagging line. Eventually, he removed Misbah courtesy a top-edge. The last four wickets to fall went into his kitty as he finished with figures of six for 82, thus becoming only the first Bangladesh all-rounder to achieve the rare double.

Faced with a big deficit, Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh a brisk start but was dismissed due to a poor umpiring decision. Shahriar Nafees went without troubling the scorers while as Nazimuddin and Mahmudullah wasted starts. When Shakib was caught at backward point late in the day, Pakistan’s chances of completing clean sweep across formats in Bangladesh increased exponentially and the hosts had only themselves to blame.