At Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan lost the opening Test of the series to Bangladesh by an embarrassing 10-wicket margin. Pakistan made the decision to declare early since the first day of the Test was ruined by rain. In an attempt to keep Bangladesh to a far smaller score, the Shan Masood-led team declared on 448/6.
Nothing went as planned with that. In the first innings, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led team managed to take a lead of 117 runs thanks to some outstanding batting by the visitors. While Shadman Islam scored 93 runs as the opener, Mushfiqur Rahim contributed a crucial 191 runs. Pakistan was placed on the back foot as Mominul Islam, Litton Das, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz each scored half-centuries.
Though, surprisingly, Bangladesh bundled them for 146 runs in the opening innings, denying them the chance to end the match on even terms. On game’s last day, the wicket began helping spinners, which put the hosts in a difficult situation because, except for Mohammad Rizwan, none of them could withstand the fury of Bangladeshi bowlers. With just thirty runs left to chase, the visitors completed the task with relative ease.
Shan Masood admitted after the game that they misread the surface and that the squad had anticipated greater performance from the pacers all along.
They were defeated, nevertheless, because that didn’t occur and the surface significantly changed. “Never give an explanation; the pitch didn’t perform as we had anticipated. In addition, the weather in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was rainy for eight or nine days before to the first day of competition. Upon first glance at the pitch, we had higher expectations. They would be tested to the utmost with three pace bowlers.
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Ultimately, our assessment was inaccurate. With the statement in mind, we intended to advance the game. We should have done better to keep them at par with the ball and in the field as well, Masood stated at the post-game presentation. The series’ second and final Test, which is scheduled to start on August 30, gives Pakistan an opportunity to recover.