Bangladesh were already one step away from defeat following the conclusion of the third day’s play of the second and final Test against Pakistan. The visitors had set the home side a mammoth target of 550 runs. Chasing it successfully would have been something unique in the history of Test cricket as no other side have been able to achieve such a huge target. Ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan had made it clear – all they needed were two big partnerships.
Shakib’s hopes and expectations, however, evaporated as soon as the fourth and penultimate day’s proceedings began yesterday at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Resuming on their overnight score of 63/1, the Tigers lost their remaining eight wickets for the addition of 158 runs to give Pakistan a convincing 328-run win. The series victory in Tests meant Pakistan salvaged something from a disappointing tour where they remained win-less and luckless in the limited-over leg.
There is no doubt Bangladesh experienced a fantastic run in the series, having won all the limited-over matches comprising three one-day internationals and a solitary Twenty20 international. The home side even managed to lift themselves from the depths of despair in the first Test in Khulna where Pakistan ruled the roost right until Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes’ record-breaking opening wicket partnership. The manner of yesterday’s defeat, however, raised many questions among which the most prominent one was: Where did all the momentum go? Granted, the Tigers were always chasing the Dhaka Test after Pakistan managed a 354-run first-innings lead but the hosts will actually be disappointed over their limp reply in the second essay.
Right from the very beginning of the deciding Test, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim was under a bit of pressure because of his eyebrow-elevating decision of fielding first. The diminutive wicketkeeper-batsman though was backed by his teammates and head coach Chandika Hathurusingha. On the field, however, the Tigers, especially the batsmen, were unable to vindicate the skipper’s decision.
Yesterday, the debacle began with the dismissal of opener Tamim. He had started cautiously but only added 10 runs to his overnight score of 32. An out-of-sorts Mahmudullah then continued his disappointing run in the series, edging Imran Khan to the slip cordon. Following Mahmudullah’s departure, Shakib made his way to the middle with great responsibility on his shoulders. But, one mistake that he committed was that he had brought his Twenty20 game. He paid heavily for attempting one shot too many as he was caught by Wahab Riaz off the bowling of Mohammad Hafeez. Mushfiq and Soumya Sarkar soon followed suit, the former dragging a delivery on to his stumps while the latter nicking a Wahab delivery to wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed.
The only glimmer of brightness was provided by the ever-dependable Mominul Haque. The little lad from the coastal town of Cox’s Bazar registered yet another fifty, his 11th consecutive 50+ score in as many Tests. In the process, he equalled West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards and Indian cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag. Once Mominul departed, the rest of Bangladesh’s second innings was a mere formality as one batsman after another failed to put a price on their wickets.
