Naseem Shah (3-24), and Mir Hamza (3-33) performances thrash Bangladesh A batting line
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD: A couple of sparking performances with red-ball, Naseem Shah (3-24), and Mir Hamza (3-33), constrained Bangladesh A on a meager total of 122 runs in 44.3 overs in their first innings of the four-day match here at Islamabad Club cricket ground on Tuesday. Pakistan scored 2 runs without wasting any batter at the stumps on Day-1, when the match called-off due to bad light in capital city Islamabad.
Bangladesh captain Anamul Haque won the coin battle and decided to bat first, as the match started at 2:00 pm instead of 10:00 am in the morning owing to wet out-field. Apart from Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who top-scored with a gritty 65 off 116 balls hitting nine fours, only Mominul Haque (11, 15b, 2x4s), Mushfiqur Rahim (14, 27b, 1x4, 1x6) and Rejaur Rehman Raja (10, 17b, 1x4) got into double figures.
Mahmudul and Mushfiqur were also involved in the most productive partnership for Bangladesh A which was a 38-run stand, which was broken by Mohammad Ali. The Shaheens pacers shared eight wickets among them with Naseem Shah, making his return to red-ball cricket after more than a year, taking the 3-24 in 8.3 overs. Hamza bagged as many wickets giving away 33 runs in 11 overs.
Ali was the most economical bowler as he conceded only 14 runs in 11 overs, picking up the valuable wicket of Mushfiqur, including six maidens. Umar Amin provided an important breakthrough for Shaheens as he dismissed the well-set Mahmudul. Leg-spinner Mohammad Rameez Jnr eked out two wickets for 41 runs in 11 overs.
Scores in brief (Day-1):
Pakistan Shaheens trail by 120 runs
Bangladesh 'A' 122 all out, 44.3 overs (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 65; Naseem Shah 3-24, Mir Hamza 3-33, Mohammad Rameez Jnr 2-41)
Pakistan Shaheens 2-0, 2 overs (Saim Ayub 2 not out)
