First Dan Cake Test Bangladesh Vs Pakistan Played at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna from 28 April – 2 May 2015

Bangladesh 1st 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 2nd Innings 555/6 ( Tamim Iqbal 206, Imrul Kayes 150, Shakib Al Hasan 76*, Mahamudullah Raid 40, Soumya Sharkar 33, Mohammad Hafiz 2/82, Junaid Khan 2/88).

Pakistan 1st 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).

Match Drawn. Man of the Match: Tamim Iqbal.

Bangladesh cricket came of age as it earned the first test draw against formidable opposition from seemingly hopeless position of 296 arrears after the first innings. A world record setting opening stand 312 to be exact between Tamim and Kayes eclipsed the 55 years surviving record of highest opening partnership in the second innings of a test match created by Michael Collin Cowdrey and Bob Pullar of England.

On a sluggish wicket Bangladesh batted bravely for over five session on the fourth and fifth days of a test match denying strong Pakistan bowling attack which had enough strength to challenge any test match batting anywhere in the world. But such was the resolve, such was the determination of changed Bangladesh that their second innings remained incomplete with 556/6 at an incredible run rate of 4.08. Two world records and several individual milestones were achieved. Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium Khulna has entered the record book of World Cricket courtesy of two brave tigers.

Pakistan scored a mammoth 628 in their only innings in response to Bangladesh first innings of 332.  One has to dig into record book to find whether any other team before scored runs at such a rapid rate in the second innings while playing to save a test. The wicket was slow but not really a bowlers grave yard. There were turns and bounce, few delivery of pacers reversed. But the teams just failed to take 20 wickets which is essential to earn a test win. Batsmen of both teams deserve huge credit for batting well irrespective of the nature of the wicket. Bangladesh could manage to keep Pakistan winless in the tour so far . The final test which starts at Shere Bangla National Stadium next Wednesday will now be the last frontier.

Bangladesh captain Mushfique got injured early during Pakistan innings in his attempt to catch Azhar Ali off the bowling of debutant pacer Shahid. He had to stay in dug out since then. Dashing Bangladesh opener Tamim had to struggle with his bowling resources in damage control throughout the marathon Pakistan innings. He received the news the news of his Auntie’s demise in the morning of the fourth day. His national duty made him stay back to write a new history for Bangladesh.

Tamim and Kayes walked into cricket history displaying wonderful brand of aggressive cricket. Several milestones were achieved during their record setting opening partnership of 312 which not only off set the huge deficit but at one stage almost created as situation for Bangladesh for throwing a last minute challenge to Pakistan for T20 style target hunt.

Tamim scored 206 the highest by a Bangladeshi batsman in test cricket overtaking Mushfique (200) the only other Batsman to score a double hundred. Tamim is now the highest scorer for Bangladesh in all formats (Test, ODI and T 20). He is also the owner of highest (7) no of test centuries. Over the last week and half he scored three centuries against Pakistan. In his current form will not be surprised if he goes on and score four centuries in as many consecutive tests.

His partner Imrul Kayes did not stay far behind. Kayes matched Tamim stroke for stroke and got out after scoring 150 his highest individual test score miscuing a lofted shot off the bowling of Zulfiqur Babar. It finally required tow Babar’s (Great Mughal Emperor’s namesake) to finally break the record setting partnership. By then Bangladesh innings was safely anchored.

Little bird Mominul appeared a little bit uncertain. Wahab Riaz and Junaid were reversing the old ball. Mominul’s brief stayed was terminated by a wonderful delivery of Junaid Khan. For a brief period a Pakistan late surge was looming. But responsible Tamim and assured Mahamudullah with another 54 runs solid partnership averted that situation. Tamim finally got out failing to recover his ground being beaten by the turn of a Hafiz delivery. Tamim reached his double century playing as many as three massive sixes. His 206 runs innings contained 7 sixes and 17 fours. When he got out Hafiz was the first to congratulate him for his wonderful aggressive innings.

Tamim’s departure was about to hasten a mini collapse as Shakib witnessed Mahamudullah and Mushfique departing him in quick succession. While Mahamudullah contributed another sizeable innings of 40 Mushfique got out shouldering arms to a straight Hafiz delivery. Meantime Super Shakib appeared in his sizzling best grabbing this opportunity of redeeming. How a player of his class and caliber can get missed out from run feast.

Shakib celebrated the occasion producing yet another strokeful half century. He remained unbeaten on 76 when the captains decided to shake their hands for a draw having been ensured of no possibility of a result. Actually Tamim wanted Shakib to stay and try to attempt his century. But Shakib himself appeared not interested. Debutant Soumya (33) and late middle order batsman Shubhagato (20*) made some useful contributions. Bangladesh left the test with heads high with a honorable draw.

Farhad Tito who in his time was considered a leading sports journalist was in constant contact with me from his Canadian residence over social media. He wrote,” I will forget memories of several Bangladesh wins in cricket but will definitely remember the drawn test of Khulna”. That in fact sums up the Bangladesh achievement. Tamim Kayes opted to attack as the best form of defense while launching their task of saving the match. They attacked attacked and attacked and did not let Pakistani bowlers settle to any kind of rhyme. Their partnership was the defining moment of the test which epitomized the new model of Bangladesh cricket oozing with self-belief.

Teams will now regroup and analyze the pains and gains of the Khulna test. Both teams have to sort out bowling issues. Winning a test requires a bowling unit capable of taking 20 wickets which both team lacked at Khulna.

Few disputed why Hafiz was not picked as man of The Match for his 224 runs and 2+2 = 4 wickets and catches. But it was Tamim whose brilliant batting had greater impacts on the outcome of the match. Hafiz and Tamim will go down in the record book in any case as the first timer in world cricket when openers of opposing teams scored double century in the same test.

BDST: 0900 HRS, MAY 03, 2015
HB