Pacer Hasan Mahmud & Nahid Rana's combined 9-87 in second innings against Pakistan in Rawalpindi Test, turned the game in Bangladesh' favour. Hasan Mahmud took 5-43 while Nahid Rana 4-44.
Bangladesh rattled Pakistan with some blazing-pace bowling in the second innings of the second and final Test match of the series at Rawalpindi. Bowling on Day 4, the visitors' fast bowlers claimed all ten wickets as they ended Pakistan's second innings at 172 runs to set themselves a target of 185. Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana combined for a remarkable 9-87 to become the architects of victory for Bangladesh.
On the fourth morning, Taskin Ahmed got Bangladesh their first breakthrough by removing Saim Ayub, before Rana ran through the middle order, leaving Pakistan at 81 for 6. Then Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha added 55 for the seventh wicket, putting a puzzle in front of Bangladesh. Agha's unbeaten 47 led a mini-revolt, as Pakistan's last two wickets added 36 runs before Mahmud ended their innings with his fifth wicket.
Bangladesh came out to bat all guns blazing in the final session of Day 4. Within the first six overs of the last innings, Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan scored runs with great intensity. Bangladesh knew they needed to score runs to win the series handily, as rain was predicted to affect the last day of play. The winning moment came, perhaps fittingly, with a cover drive off Abrar Ahmed by Shakib Al Hasan.
Mahmud & Rana's impact
Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana's bowling prowess proved to be a nightmare for Pakistan's batting lineup, causing chaos and wreaking havoc. Mahmud was the star of the historic victory, picking up his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests. He was strongly supported by Nahid Rana, who was outstanding with his line and length. He claimed the crucial wickets of Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel, effectively rattling the Pakistan middle order.
Mahmud picked up two wickets after Bangladesh took the ball late on day three, hoping for at least one wicket early in Pakistan's second innings. He removed Abdullah Shafique and cleaned up night-watchman Khurram Shahzad to leave Pakistan 9 for 2 at stumps. On day four, he removed Rizwan in much the same way he had sent back Shafique. Next ball, he hit the perfect length to get Mohammad Ali’s wicket. Salman Ali Agha was Mahmud’s fifth and Pakistan's last wicket of the second innings.
Mahmud became just the third quick from Bangladesh to take a five-for in Test cricket in the last eleven years. Much like Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed before him, he too had done so on foreign soil. He remained Bangladesh's best fast bowler across the two Tests.
Meanwhile, Nahid Rana dashed in like the wind from the Pavilion End at the Rawalpindi Stadium in Pakistan. Since he is 6'2", he releases the ball like a catapult from a good height. Litton Das's gloves got thudded by his 140-kph deliveries behind the stumps more than once. He even touched 150 kph on a few occasions. Notably, Rana, who was playing his third Test, did well to marry his pace with great line and length.
Bangladesh's emerging fast bowling talent
Monday was a landmark day in the history of Bangladesh Cricket, courtesy of their fast bowling. They witnessed a thrilling resurgence in the pace bowling department. The emergence of young pacers within the national team has added a new dimension to Bangladesh's bowling attack.
For a long time, Bangladesh cricket was synonymous with spin prodigies like Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan. Fast bowling was often seen as a luxury rather than a stronghold. However, recent developments point to a shift in the winds, with a fresh generation of speedsters prepared to cause havoc at the biggest level.
Dismantling the top order with sheer pace or rattling middle orders with toe-crushing yorkers, Bangladesh's young pace battery achieved something unprecedented in the nation's Test cricket history. Their stellar display against Pakistan has put them in the spotlight, opening doors for them to showcase their talent on a larger stage.
Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana's astounding performances have sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. This victory not only solidified Bangladesh's position but also set a new benchmark for future matchups between these two cricketing powerhouses. The confidence gained from this series win will undoubtedly motivate the Bangladesh team to strive for more success in their upcoming encounters.
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