DHAKA: After a whitewash in three-match ODI series and a defeat in only Twenty20 match, Pakistan have finally made their month-long Bangladesh tour with lone victory in Dhaka test on Saturday, sealing the test series by 1-0.
Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 328 runs in the second test and the final game of the two-match series at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
The hosts astonished the cricket world, breaking of a set of records in the first test at Khulna, but apparently collapsed against the visitors both in batting and bowling in Dhaka test since it began on May 6.
In the second test match, Pakistan declared their first and second innings with 557 runs for eight and 195 runs for six respectively. Bangladesh scored 203 and 221 runs all out in their first and second innings respectively. Finally, the visitors won by 328 runs.
Brief Scores
1st innings: Pakistan 557/8 declared (Azhar Ali 226, Younis Khan, 148, Asad Shafiq 107; Taijul Islam 3/179, Mohammad Shahid 2/72, Shuvagata Hom 2/72) vs Bangladesh 203 (Shakib Al Hasan 89*, Imrul Kayes 32; Wahab Riaz 3/73, Yasir Shah 3/58).
2nd innings: Pakistan 195/6 declared (Misbah-ul-Haq 82, Younis Khan 39; Mohammad Shahid 2/23) vs Bangladesh 221 (Mominul Haque 68, Tamim Iqbal 42, Shuvagata Hom 39; Yasir Shah 4/74, Imran Khan 2/56).
Azhar Ali became Man of the Match and Man of the series. “It is a very good combined effort from the team. We all played really well. The coach and management has backed our abilities and we got the result,” he said.
Wining captain Misbah-ul-Haq said “It is a much-needed win for us. The team showed great character. After losing the toss, the first session was important for us.”
“Everybody should congratulate Bangladesh the way they played. The first Test draw was a victory for them. We were disappointed by the last Test. The way we won this match we were satisfied. It was a much-needed win for us,” he added.
Defeated captain Mushfiqur Rahim said “It was disappointing. We bowled some no balls and we were also one bowler down. Nothing went right for us in the first day. Pakistan are ranked No.3 in Tests and they came back hard. We did not plan well and execute well and that is why we lost the game.”
“We have been playing consistently and we will have to learn quickly. Tamim hs had a great series and Imrul. Mominul as always gets 50-plus runs. The bowlers will have to be aggressive and keep us in the game for five days. If you want to win and if you want to compete in Tests, you will have to take 20 wickets. We will look to do that against India, he added.
The first test of the series was a draw at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on May 2.
** Pakistan close to series win
BDST: 1441 HRS, MAY 09, 2015
HB/AKA
