1st Test, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Day 2 preview: Onus on Pakistan’s batters, Bangladesh’s pacemen

This was classic Pakistan. Test cricket now well and truly back in their home environs, with a young set of pacemen completely dismantling the opposition. There are few sights more joyful in cricket, and while Bangladesh may not agree with that statement, it’s fair to say they will be the minority.

On the first day of this two-Test series – the second Test will only be played in April – Shaheen Shah Afridi starred and Mohammad Abbas assisted as Bangladesh were asked to bat and then ruthlessly bundled out for 233 in 82.5 overs. Had it not been for bad light, Pakistan’s batsmen would have even fancied adding to their dominance late in the day.

Afridi returned a fine 4/53 while Abbas was more economical, his 17 overs going for just 19 runs and yielding two wickets. Bangladesh were reduced to 3/2 within two overs before they found some resistance via Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque. However, their partnership was broken at 59, with both batsmen throwing away starts.

It was a feature of the Bangladesh innings. Shanto scored 44, Mominul, the captain, a fighting 30, and thereafter Mohammad Mithun scored a 140-ball 63 – the highest score by a Bangladeshi on the day. There was also a 33 from Liton Das and 24 from Taijul Islam. However, none of them could actually go on, score in three figures and glue the innings together.

Bangladesh will now hope they can subject the home batsmen what they were subjected to today. They have some excellent pacers themselves in Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed, and chiefly, Rubel Hossain. It is up to them now to take wickets in the first hour of the second day and ensure Bangladesh can stay in this match.

The question is, can they? Pakistan’s batsmen will be confident, particularly at home, and Bangladesh are up against it at the moment.

Key players

Babar Azam (Pakistan): All eyes will be on Pakistan’s star batsman. He’s finally getting to play some Tests on home soil, and having score two centuries in as many Tests against Sri Lanka in December, he will be looking to add to that tally. Bangladesh will be wary.

Rubel Hossain (Bangladesh): As Bangladesh’s one out-and-out paceman, a lot rests on Rubel. He will need to full throttle early in the day and capitalise on any movement on offer to pick early wickets and put pressure on the home side. That’s the only way Bangladesh can stay in this.

Brief scores

Bangladesh 233 in 82.5 overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 44, Mohammad Mithun 63; Shaheen Afridi 4-53, Mohammad Abbas 2-19) vs Pakistan

Prediction Pakistan to rack up around 300 for the loss of four wickets, with Azam playing a lead role.