Bangladesh have no one but themselves to blame for the position they find themselves in the last session of the fifth and last day of the second Test against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka. In the last session, they need to play out at least 37 overs with only four wickets in hand and are still training by 66 runs following on in their second innings.
The situation could have been better had their batters shown a bit of patience and perseverance. They were bowled out for 87 in the first innings in reply to Pakistan’s 300-4 declared, but in the second innings, the hopes were still alive when Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim were batting.
The two got together when Bangladesh were in all sorts of trouble at 25-4 in only the ninth over while following on. But the two put up a valiant 73 run stand and were looking to steer the home team to a draw before Liton’s lapse in concentration resulted in him hitting a half-tracker straight to Fawad Alam at deep mid-wicket.
Rahim then got together with Shakib Al Hasan, the top scorer from the first inning and the two senior statesmen of the team put together 49 runs and most importantly played out 19 overs. But once again, rather than the bowling or fielding putting any pressure, it was the batsmen at fault. Shakib ran for a quick single and though Rahim dived to save himself, his bat was lifted in the air even as he crossed the popping crease when bails were removed by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.
On first look, it didn’t look out and even the appeal looked like a formality, the umpire was not interested in going to the third umpire, but Rizwan’s insistence meant that he had to. In replays, it was confirmed to be out and a frustrated Rahim walked out of the stadium on 48 as Teat was called.
At the time of writing this, the Tigers were 159-6 with Shaikb and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan at the crease and still 32 overs to be bowled.