Iqbal celebrates after scoring his maiden double century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes both made career-bests to ensure the first Test against Pakistan in Khulna ended as a draw.
Iqbal and Kayes were well supported by all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who scored an unbeaten 76.
Starting off the day on 273/0, Iqbal and Kayes converted their overnight partnership into a 312-run stand, during which both batsmen surpassed the 150-run mark, before Kayes was caught by Babar Azam, who was the substitute fielder, at long-off off the bowling of Zulfiqar Babar.
Kayes’ career-best knock of 150 came off 240 balls and included 16 boundaries and three sixes.
Kayes is ecstatic after bringing up his 150
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Mominul Haque only made 21 runs before he was clean bowled by Junaid Khan.
Iqbal and Mahmudullah stabilised the innings with a 54-run partnership, during which Iqbal registered his maiden double century, before he was stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed off the bowling of Mohammad Hafeez.
Iqbal’s career-best innings of 206 came off 278 deliveries and included 17 boundaries and seven sixes.
Mahmudullah and Al Hasan kept the runs flowing with a 64-run partnership before Mahmudullah was given out lbw off the bowling of Khan for 40.
Mahmudullah reviewed the decision right away, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit off stump. This led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim failed to trouble the scorers as he was given out lbw off the bowling of Hafeez for a duck.
Al Hasan and debutant Soumya Sarkar steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership, during which Al Hasan recorded his half-century, before Sarkar was caught by Hafeez at deep midwicket for 33 to give Asad Shafiq his maiden Test wicket.
Al Hasan and Shuvagata Hom amassed an unbeaten 31-run partnership before the match ended as a draw.
Al Hasan finished on 76 off 104 balls, which included six boundaries and a six, while Hom remained undefeated on 20 off 25 deliveries, which included three boundaries.
Al Hasan hit six boundaries and a six during his unbeaten knock of 76
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Khan and Hafeez took two wickets apiece, while Shafiq and Babar claimed one wicket each.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was disappointed with his team’s performance, and said: “It was a slow wicket and was good for batting. Hafeez played really well. Tamim and Imrul enjoyed their batting. The wicket was very slow and difficult for the bowlers. We need to improve our performance with the ball. We also dropped a few catches in the first innings, which made a difference. After getting a 300-odd lead, we could have put them under pressure on any surface. All credit to Bangladesh. They saved the game, especially with the opening partnership. That opening partnership was the game-changer. Wahab and Junaid bowled well with the old ball.”
Rahim was pleased with the way his side performed, and said: “It [the injured finger] is getting better. It is a great achievement. All the credit to the boys. The way Tamim and Imrul batted, it was unbelievable. It was difficult to take 20 wickets on the pitch. The top order took the responsibility. Imrul was not in the ODI squad but he played well. I am privileged to be the captain of this team. We have three more days for the next Test. We will prepare and hopefully take 20 wickets.”
Iqbal was named Man of the Match, and said: “I am very pleased. Whatever I planned came off nicely. It was a much-needed innings for me and my team as well. I was in an attacking mode. He [Kayes] was controlling the innings. It was a great combination. I think Taijul bowled brilliantly on this wicket. 296 runs behind and it was a tough task. I played my role, Imrul played his role, Shakib and Mahmudullah did their job. It was a team effort. We have done well in ODIs are we are proving it in Tests. We have a big summer coming up.”