By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Following a 1-0 down Pakistan will be desperately looking for a must win in the second Test against Bangladesh which will begin in Sylhet on Saturday (tomorrow).
In the first Test Pakistan faced a 104-run defeat at the hands of Shanto’s charges which played better game than the visitors in the entire Test which they eventually sealed following a superb performance especially on the fifth and final day. Set to chase 268 Pakistan were folded for just 163 thanks to tall pacer Nahid Rana’s impressive figures of 5-40. Nahid had taken one wicket in the first innings. He generated brutal pace and engineered keeping disciplined line and length which put Pakistani batsmen under an immense pressure.
However, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, overall, led the show with brilliant batting as he scored 101 in the first innings and 87 in the second innings to finish with an aggregate 188 in the Test which also earned for him player of the match award.
Pakistan on the other hand were found struggling with the ball in the first innings on a green top, although Mohammad Abbas took five wickets in the first innings on the second day. However, it was the kind of pitch which had support for both bowlers and batsmen.
Bangladesh posted 413 in their first innings and in response Pakistan were folded for 386 with debutant Azan Awais scoring 103. The other debutant Abdullah Fazal, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salma also made fifties.
However, chasing 268 Pakistani batsmen flopped and were bowled out well behind the target.
Abdullah Fazal top-scored 60 while Agha Salman made 26. Azan Awais, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel could score only 15 each. Shan Masood, the skipper, and Imam-ul-Haq, made just two each.
As Pakistan enter the second Test in Sylhet which was hit by heavy run on Friday they should make a solid plan and field a better combination to produce the desired results. Pakistan, which have lost their three previous Tests on trot against Bangladesh, need a strong start. If they are able to prevail in the first innings as in doing so the things can come in their control. Pakistan are likely to make a couple of changes. The premier batsman Babar Azam, who skipped the first Test due to injury, will be back in the side.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed also confirmed his availability.
“Yes, Babar is available for the second Test,” Sarfaraz told reporters in the pre-match news conference.
When pressed who he will replace he said: “You will know about the lineup after the toss.”
“At the moment the atmosphere is fine. Definitely we as a team disappointed after the first test match but past is past and we are hopeful for the next Test and we will inshaAllah bounce back as a team,” Sarfaraz said.
“The weather is not in our hand if we have got an opportunity to play here then definitely, we will play good cricket here,” Sarfaraz said.
“As a player you look about different things and as a coach you think different, about all the players and the team. Things are fine and as a team we will bounce back in the next match inshaAllah,” reiterated Sarfaraz, also a former Pakistan captain.
“Look, its very positive for Babar Azam. The way he played last PSL, looked like technically strong and mentally fresh as well and so we are happy to have him,” Sarfaraz said.
Talking about the criticism from the former players Sarfaraz said: “That’s not new for us.”
“We all know that we are not playing good cricket and so criticism is there. We are not bothering about things in social media but my captain and all the team will play good cricket inshaAllah in coming matches,” Sarfaraz said.
Sarfaraz said that they will need to be more disciplined.
“We need to bowl more disciplined and bat more patiently and we are working on it,” he said.
Sarfaraz defended Rizwan, saying he is very good wicket-keeper, adding it happens so when one plays a different format after a long time.
“I am very much hopeful that he will do well with his keeping and batting for Pakistan in the next game,” Sarfaraz said.
“We have thought about our Playing XI and you know there is also uncertainty as you know there was rain entire day today. If rain curtails the match, then some other changes may also happen in the team,” said the head coach.
“We have sat to discuss all the points and I think senior players will take their responsibility and when again there will be such difficult position then they will bring the side out of trouble,” Sarfaraz said.
He also appreciated youngsters Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal, saying they played extremely well and they will give them confidence onward too.
Responding to a question about opting to field first in the opening Test, Sarfaraz said their decision was good but if they played with more discipline then things could go in their favour.
“In Test cricket the team which shows more discipline turns successful. I hope if we keep consistency in all things then I am confident good results will be produced,” Sarfaraz signed off.
