DHAKA: Dan Cake Test Series: Score Card on Second Day

Pakistan First Innings: 557 /8 declared (Azhar Ali 226, Younis Khan 148, Asad Shafique 107, Taijul 3/ 179, Mohammad Shahid 2/ 72 ,Shubhagato 2/76) Bangladesh First Innings: 107/5 ( Imrul Kayes Kayes 32 , Mahamudullah 28, Yasir Shah 2/ 15, Junaid Khan 2/26)

Not of 50% of the second test of Dan Cake Bangladesh Pakistan Test series is completed yet. Bangladesh is already in danger of an innings defeat.

Opting to bat which many experts disputed Bangladesh with lean bowling resources on a livelier pitch failed to check the resurging Pakistan team. Pakistan declared their innings at team on second day at 557/8.

In two hours they sent half of the Bangladeshis back in the pavilion for a mere 107 with brilliant bowling and more enthusiastic fielding.

The cracks of the wicket are widening and balls are gripping, turning and bouncing. It will be extremely difficult for Bangladesh which started with negative mindset of drawing the test to survive barring heaven opening the sky. But with three more days to play the fate of the match is written.

Few ex Bangladeshi cricketers disputed when after toss and electing to field with a lean bowling attack we thought it wrong.

Few said day two and three will be the best time to bat. Yes Pakistan batted superbly on day two. Azhar Ali scored a brilliant double century, Asad Shafique a sparling century.

The pair batted Bangladesh out of the match with a 206 runs fifth wicket partnership after captain Misbah was removed on the very second over of the day by Shakib.

On a wicket where Pakistani bowlers cornered Bangladesh later on Bangladesh as a team failed to exploit. Only exception was Shahid who constantly bowled in right channel.

In his 31 overs marathon spell he conceded only 72 runs for his two wickets. Azhar batted like a champion. His 428 ball 226 (first double century) contained 22 boundaries and 2 sixes.

Pakistan has found a stable number three who we are sure will serve his country for a long long time. Those who thought Bangladesh will continue to make deep inroads after Misbah left early in the second over over of the day were proved wrong.

An enterprising Asad Shafique pairing with Azhar took Bangladesh attack apart.

Shubhagato Hom managed to remove both in quick succession. But by then the damage was done. Pakistan had their nose in front.

Misbah declared innings at tea on 557/8.

Bangladesh started after tea. Lot depended on inform Tamim and Kayes.This wicket was far different. Pakistan worked on Bangladeshi batsmen. Junaid got rid off Tamim in the very first over getting him LBW a marginal call requiring DRS confirmation.

Similar call involving against the same two players in Khulna second innings decision went in favor of Tamim. We know Tamim went on writing new history of opening partnership with Kayes from there on.

But this time Tamim’s early departure struck body blow. Kayes looked in imperious form. He blasted Junaid with four lovely boundaries. Mominul was looking good till Junaid exploited his corridor of uncertainty weakness.

Mominul stays rooted while attempted cuts without moving his feet .That is what Junaid exploited in forcing him nick behind. Bangladesh was two down in no time. Surprising all wicket nature changed dramatically.

Suddenly uneven bounce, turn and bounce all appeared. Pakistani bowlers with tails up started teasing and tormenting. Misbah delayed bringing his tramp card Yasir relying on pace trio. Kayes and Mahamudullah were handling well.

The pair was playing well till Yasir came to the attack and together with Wahab Riaz bowling fast and furious broke the back bone of Bangladesh batting.

Yasir beat Kayes with a sharp turning leg break penetrating the defence of Kayes and Wahab Riaz melted Mahamudullah with a sharp short delivery.

Bangladesh was decimated to 4/85. Two of the most talented Bangladeshi performers Shakib and Mushfique came together. So much depended on this two.

Mushfique from the start looked a bit hesitant. He was not reading Yasir well. His only contribution was three good looking boundaries off a Wahab Riaz over. He was foxed by a smart googly of Yasir on the penultimate ball of the day.

Bangladesh reduced to 107/5 looks like a real cornered tiger. It will take Shakib Soumya and the rest to bat out of their skin to avoid following on as primary target.

The wicket looked placid when Bangladesh bowled. But Pakistani pacers bowling fast and right channel made life extremely difficult for Bangladeshis. Junaid swung at pace and induced batsmen into poking. Wahab Riaz bowled short and aimed at rib cage.

Yasir turned and bounced and mixed his variation. Wicket is also playing tricks.

Bangladesh has huge task at hand to bat and try to save this test. Primary target is to avoid the follow on which is another 251 runs away.

Shakib has to lead the charge with young Soumya and Shubhagato giving him company. The main threats will be Yasir Shah. Hope Bangladeshis learn the value of a quality leg spinner in any form of cricket.

Zubayer is hibernating in Bangladesh camp.

There is still a lot to play in this test. Bengal tigers are now real Cornered Tigers. They have to apply themselves in the rest of their first innings and the innings they may be forced to play to go down fighting even.

Who knows the new found confidence may inspire Bangladesh to play another out of the world second innings or even Shakib and Soumya may change the course of the match. Another day may come with another situation.

It is cricket where every session every day can change.  But what did not change is the negative mind set of Bangladesh cricket think tank. Some body read the wicket very wrong while advising Mushfique opting to bat.

Bangladesh appeared with a lean bowling attack and wrongly chose to bowl first risking batting last on a deteriorating wicket. Home teams prepare wickets to suit their strength. Dhaka wicket suited the visitors and we can see how Bangladesh is struggling.

Well it is not Imran Khan’s cornered tigers. It is cornered Bengal tigers at Shere Bangla now.

** Pakistan In Command: Day One

BDST: 0444 HRS, MAY 08, 2015
RR