‌PAK vs BAN | Ayub and Shakeel hold steady amidst Bangladeshi pacers' day out on truncated Day 1

Following a delayed start that saw the loss of the morning session due to a wet outfield, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto elected to bowl first. The decision paid off well as the new ball duo of Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam proved lethal, removing Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Babar Azam. With the score reading 16/3, Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel absorbed the pressure by carefully negating the new ball. Hasan’s extended new ball spell didn’t bear fruit with Ayub’s six in the 15th over steering them to a fifty-run stand. The pair played through the rest of the session with the score reading 81/3 at Tea. 

Shakeel and Ayub resumed proceedings in the third session on a similar note against Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam. Ayub quickly registered his maiden Test fifty before the bowling change of Hasan Mahmud reaped rewards for the visitors. The pacer outsmarted the youngster for 58 in the 32nd over to conclude a 98-run stand. With Mohammad Rizwan joining Shakeel, the pair continued making merry for the hosts despite the introduction of Shakib Al Hasan into the attack. Eventually, their partnership grew to 44 runs before play got called off on Day 1 with Pakistan’s tally at 158/4 in 41 overs.

What a player he is!

Maiden Test fifty for  💫



A fine knock to showcase his skills 🏏 |  

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) 

Great game from him!

Well Done Saim Ayub 

— Abdullah Zafar (@Arain_417) 

Oxygen!

Babar Azam 0(2) vs Bangladesh 

Ball by Ball 

— Naeem (@Naeemception) 

Babar continues to disappoint!

When he came to bat, everyone was chanting "Babar, Babar." In return, he threw his wicket. 😞💔  

— C.F.G🇵🇸||💗APUN✨💗|| (@cricketfangir1) 

Really?

Saud shakeel>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Babar Azam

— hamid (@hamid77692862) 

Rizwan looks nin good touch!

Shukr ! Sans bahal hui meri >>😭😭

Best of luck for tomorrow <3 

 

— 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞_16🏏 (@MR16_Forever) 

Good shots!

Muhammad Rizwan 2 back to back fours in shakib ul Hasan in first over ❤️. 

— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) 

That was not needed here!

muhammad rizwan showing intent, down the track. |  

— Ahmad Amin Khan (@AhmadAminKhan) 

He played well!

Saim ayub departs for 56 in 98 balls 

Now Pakistan 119-4

Saud Shekeel and Muhammad Rizwan is on the pitch      

— T Sports RYK (@TSportsRYK)