Bangladesh All Out 332 (Mominul Haq 80, Imrul Kayes 51, Mahamudullah Riad 49, Soumya Sarkar 33, Mushfiqur Rahim 32, Tamim Iqbal 25, Shakib Al Hasan 25, Wahab Riaz 3/55, Yasir Shah 3/86, Mohammad Hafiz 2/47, Zulfiqur Babar 2/99) Pakistan 537/5 (Mohammad Hafiz 224, Azhar Ali 83, Misbah Ul Huq 59, Asad Shafique 51*, Sarfraz Ahmed 51*, Younis Khan 33, Taijul Islam 3/116, Subhagato Hom 2/112)

At stumps on day three Pakistan leads by 205 runs with five wickets at hand. It can be safely concluded that the match has only two logical conclusions now a most likely Pakistan win or a possible draw. Pakistan will in all possibilities try to extend the lead beyond 300 and let Bangladesh bat five sessions on the fourth and fifth day to try and salvage a draw.

Wicket has turn and bounce. But batsmen can still score runs if they apply themselves and play each ball according to the merit .That was very much in evidence all six partnership of Pakistan produced 50 or more runs. Not that Bangladesh bowled extremely poorly but they could not bowl consistently well and their ace bowler Shakib had a rare bad day. With as many as eight genuine batsmen Bangladesh can still hope for saving this test.



The feature of the day was brilliant double century by “Professor “Mohammad Hafiz which was his first in his 41 test .His highest was 197 against New Zealand last year in UAE. On a wicket where stroke play required patience and skill Hafiz really presented a wonderfully cultured innings. He never let the main Bangladesh weapon Shakib to settle to his rhyme on this wicket which blunted Bangladesh attack. In his 332 ball innings Hafiz struck 23 boundaries and 3 over and across the rope. His match defining partnership with Azhar Ali stitched together 227 run.

Azhar was removed by a subtle change of pace by off spinner Shubhagato after scoring 83.  Wicket started playing some tricks. Balls were gripping and turning. But unfortunately Sakib had an off day and others could not ball consistently on correct line and length. Experienced Pakistanis were never in a hurry. Younis Khan, Misbah, Asad Shafique and Sarfraz all contributed using all their tricks off their hat. The fact that 5 of the 7 Pakistanis have scored fifties or more in the wicket gives hope that Bangladeshi batsmen can still apply their skills, temperament and graft for salvaging a draw which will give them massive boost for the final test at Dhaka.



It appears from above that the wicket is not mine field or booby trap. Run making is still possible. The primary task would be to try and restrict Pakistan lead to below 300 and then play sessions to sessions. Batting out 5 sessions against top quality Pakistan bowling on day four and five wicket will not at all be easy.

Wahab Riaz and Junaid will reverse and Yasir Shah, Zulfiqur Babar and Hafiz will exploit the turn and bounce. The left arm pacers will create rough around right handers off stumps which the spinners will target. Bangladesh must play with extreme caution. We hope Bangladesh batsmen learned few tricks from the Professor Hafiz innings. They must have taken few clues how Misbah batted.

In the first innings several Bangladesh batsmen got start but could not get going. Test cricket is not only playing few spectacular strokes and throwing away the wickets in attempts for playing one stroke too many. Much will depend on senior professionals Tamim, Shakib, Mushfique and Mahamudullah.

We hope Mushfique can bat. Mominul is expected to be in his usual element. The more we see him bat in test we get more convinced of his class and quality. It will be interesting to see where Soumya Sharkar bats. Imrul scored a fifty in the first innings but he was rarely comfortable. Can Soumya be promoted to open with Tamim leaving Kayes to bat at middleorder?

There are still two days and six sessions of the test match. We must not throw the towel yet. Two Pakistani players Asad and Sarfraz will go for runs this morning and will definitely offer opportunities. We must grab those and try and wrap up the tail as quickly as possible. Then who knows so many wonders have happened in cricket.

Cannot deny that advantage is heavily with the tourists but all is not lost yet. Bangladesh can still show character in the second innings and salvage some pride. Braves do not die before death.Will look for some heroes when Bangladesh bats a second time.

BDST: 0835 HRS, MAY 01, 2015
HB