‘If it did not rain, we would have tried to finish the game today’

Bangladesh is on the brink of victory in Rawalpindi. Chasing a target of 185 runs, Bangladesh ended the fourth day of the match without losing any wickets, having scored 42 runs. To secure victory, Bangladesh needs another 143 runs. The team aimed to wrap up the match today itself, and their two openers set a promising tone with boundaries and over-boundaries. Pace bowler Hasan Mahmud, in the post-match press conference, echoed the team's intention to finish the match in the first session tomorrow.

"It's hard to say," Hasan Mahmud noted. "But if it hadn't rained, we would have tried to finish it today or at least finish it in the first session tomorrow."

After seven overs, Bangladesh had scored 42 runs. Zakir Hasan made 31 runs off 23 balls, including 2 fours and 2 sixes. Regarding the openers' batting, Hasan commented, "I don't think they were concerned about the rain. They focused on each ball, attacking the bad ones and playing each delivery the way they wanted to."

Hasan Mahmud, who was instrumental in restricting Pakistan to 172 runs in their second innings, took 5 wickets for 43 runs. Reflecting on his five-wicket haul, Hasan said, "Actually, the credit should go to my teammates who worked hard behind every ball. The plan was very simple. With the new ball, we had to focus on bowling according to the line as the captain and the team wanted. We tried to stick to our plan and take wickets."

When asked how he evaluates his performance, Hasan said, "Getting five wickets is a joyful and proud moment for both the country and the team. We won one match in Test cricket. Now, we have the chance to do well in another match and win here too. We are very happy."

Regarding Pakistan's hospitality, Hasan mentioned, "When we first arrived, I found Pakistan to be very beautiful. The weather, security, and the city were all fantastic. The food was somewhat (he smiles) hard to get used to, but it's okay; we need to eat different food sometimes. It was very helpful and healthy."