Pakistan are all smiles after winning the series 1-0
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah took four wickets on the fourth day of the second Test in Dhaka to not only lead his side to a 328-run win, but also help them take the series 1-0.
Starting out the day on 63/1, none of the Bangladesh batsmen, with the exception of Mominul Haque, were able to make any major contributions.
Having been set a target of 550 to win, Haque was the only batsman to put up some sort of resistance, while the others failed to make an impact or were unable to convert their positive starts into bigger scores.
Haque scored 68 off 102 balls, which included nine boundaries, as Bangladesh were bowled out for a dismal 221.
Shah inflicted the most damage as he picked up four wickets, while Imran Khan snapped up two and Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Hafeez claimed one wicket each.
Shah finished with figures of 4-73 off 21 overs
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim was disappointed with his side’s performance, and said: “It was disappointing. We bowled some no balls and we were also one bowler down. Nothing went right for us in the first day. Pakistan are ranked No.3 in Tests and they came back hard. We did not plan well and execute well and that is why we lost the game.
“We have been playing consistently and we will have to learn quickly. Tamim has had a great series and Imrul too. Mominul as always gets 50-plus runs. The bowlers will have to be aggressive and keep us in the game for five days. If you want to win and if you want to compete in Tests, you will have to take 20 wickets. We need to plan better and we will look to do that against India.”
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was delighted to have won the series, and said: “It is a much-needed win for us. The team showed great character. After losing the toss, the first session was important for us. The way Younis Khan and Azhar Ali batted was the base for our victory. There was more bounce here than Khulna, our bowlers enjoyed bowling on this wicket. Yasir Shah bowled really well.
“I am not part of the T20 and ODI side, but I wish my team a good series against Zimbabwe. It is really really good to see cricket come back in Pakistan. Everybody should congratulate Bangladesh the way they played. The first Test draw was a victory for them. We were disappointed by the last Test. The way we won this match we were satisfied. It was a much-needed win for us.”
Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali was named Man of the Match and Man of the Series as well, and said: “It is a very good combined effort from the team. We all played really well. The coach and management has backed our abilities and we got the result. Getting centuries is satisfactory. We look up to Younis Khan and senior players and look to score big. In the past few months, we have been doing well in Tests. We did well against Australia. All credit should go to the team.”