Bangladesh Ist Innings 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) and Bangladesh 2 nd Innings 273 /0 ( Tamim Iqbal 138* , Imrul Kayes 132* )

Pakistan Ist Innings 628 All Out  (Mohammad Hafiz 224, Azhar Ali 83, Misbah Ul Huq 59, Asad Shafique 83, Sarfraz Ahmed 82, Younis Khan 33, Taijul Islam 6/163, Subhagato Hom 2/120).

Bravo Bangladesh, the world was watching in wonder. The way Tamim, Kayes brought Bangladesh back in contention can only be seen to believe. Wish we were if not blessed like celebrated cricket poet Nevil Cardus at least could write like doyen of Bangladesh Cricket writer late Bardul Huda Chowdhury. We really do not have words rich enough to pen picture what brave tigers did on the historic May Day in front of adoring cricket admirers at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium Khulna. Fighting with back to the wall Bangladesh batsmen –Terrific Tamim and amazing Kayes shocked and awed Pakistan with record through shattering unconquered opening partnership of 273 on the wearing wicket of the fourth day.

A test that was shaping up for yet another miserable defeat of Bangladesh completely turned around by majestic batting of two brave Bangladesh batsmen. Tamim-Kayes in the process bettered their own record of opening partnership they set at the very last test that Bangladesh played against Zimbabwe last year at Chittagong. They also set a new record for highest partnership by a Bangladeshi pair at any wicket. They are still not finished and will start the last day with their eyes primarily in wiping off the deficit of 23 runs and then reaching new heights.

Is it the same wicket that Tamim and Kayes were playing yesterday? Were these the same Pakistani bowlers those were being treated like bowlers
on the street corner by Tamim and Kayes? Were Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes batting in their hay days? No they were brilliant Bangladeshi batsmen writing new scripts of new Bangladesh.

When the day started Bangladesh were already trailing by 205 runs. Two undefeated Pakistani batsmen Asad Shaniqua and Sarfraz already scored half centuries. They looked to carry on and bat Bangladesh out of the match. Debutant Shahid removed Sarfraz .But by then Pakistan reached 594 extending the lead to 262. Bangladesh these days has a “Never Say Die “attitude. Taijul and Shakib combined to trigger collapse in the Pakistan camp from 594/5 Pakistan folded for 628. The last 5 wickets added only 34 runs. Taijul achieved his third 5 wickets haul in his 11th innings of his sixth test Shakib got his only wicket of the test, The mission turning around was signaled .

With 296 in arrears and on the wearing wicket of fourth day against a potent Pakistan attack many teams would have crumbled in submission. But this Bangladesh team learned not to die before death. They are roaring tigers. They were injured by Pakistan in the first innings. Everyone knows how ferocious injured can be. It was batting from outer orbit from another planet which World Cricket witnessed yesterday from Tamim Kayes. They counter attacked Pakistan bowling with blistering stroke play. Fearless cricket, brave batting, amazing stroke play made the otherwise quality Pakistani bowlers look like ordinary street corner boys.

People knows batsmen dance down the wickets to play spinners over the top but how many batsmen dances down the wicket to bowlers bowling at 140 KM plus like Wahab Riaz ?  Did not he teased and tormented mighty Australians only a few months back in the world Cup at Adelaide Oval. The ball was reversing, spinners were getting turn and bounce. But these hardly mattered. Tamim and Imrul were in belligerent mood. It was Calypso Cricket. Some of the strokes those Tamim and also Kayes played would have even made Blaster Chris Gayle proud. We especially enjoyed every time
Tamim and Kayes had their dancing shoes on and were dispatching the balls across and over the fence.

Misbah and Pakistan team could only look and appreciate. They could do nothing to barricade the barrage. The flood gate was opened and tidal surge was sweeping away anything and everything. Can one imagine 273 runs were scored in only 61 overs of the third innings of a test match on the fourth day by a team trailing by 296 runs and that too without losing any wicket? Tamim remained not out scoring 138 in 183 deliveries striking 13 fours and 4 sixes. It was his seventh test century the most by a Bangladeshi batsman in test. It was his third century in consecutive test. Kayes also remained unbeaten on 132 and had belted 15 fours and 3 sixes in his equally destructive innings. It was his third test century, his highest test score and second century in successive test.

The mission Bangladesh is still incomplete. Bangladesh will need to appear in the same positive frame of mind today. They have to wipe off the 23 runs deficit first and then bat for at least two sessions taking a lead of around 220 -230 runs. Bangladesh can give a target if possible to shell shocked Pakistan to try and win. Pakistan will regroup and is expected to come back very strongly

But it is cricket; it will be fifth day of the test match. Storage things do happen in cricket and that is why it is a game of glorious uncertainty.
In my regular column for Banglanews24 readers wrote yesterday

“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”

Bangladesh did not throw the towel. First restricted the lead to below 300 and then went about their task batting wonderfully well. Still the work is only half done. There are still three full session. A cricket match is not over until it is over. Can new Bangladesh play another wonderful act on the last afternoon before the curtain is drawn for the test?

BDST: 0812 HRS, MAY 02, 2015
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