Pakistan Overcomes Early Setbacks with Saim-Shakeel Partnership

Pakistan made a comeback in the Rawalpindi Test thanks to the batting efforts of Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel. After losing three wickets early on, the team reached the tea break with some stability. Following Saim Ayub's fifty, Saud Shakeel also reached his half-century. He then batted through the remainder of the day with Mohammad Rizwan without any further losses.

The first session of play was washed out due to rain, with the match starting four and a half hours late. Only 21 overs were bowled in the second session, and an additional 20 overs in the final session of the day. At the end of the first day, Pakistan's score stood at 158 for 4. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57, while Rizwan supported him with 24 runs.

Bangladesh managed to break the partnership shortly after the tea break. Saim Ayub, after celebrating his maiden international fifty, was dismissed by Hasan Mahmud, who had him caught brilliantly by Mehidy Hasan Miraz at slip. Saim scored a career-best 56 runs off 98 balls, including four boundaries and a six.

After Saim's departure, Shakeel and Rizwan steadied the innings, adding 44 more runs before the close of play. Saud Shakeel will resume on 57, and Rizwan on 24 when play continues tomorrow morning.

Pakistan's day did not start well as they lost three early wickets for just 16 runs. Abdullah Shafique (2) was dismissed by Hasan Mahmud, while captain Shan Masood (6) and Babar Azam (0) were taken by Shariful Islam.

From there, Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel formed a crucial 98-run partnership, bringing Pakistan back into the match. The responsibility now lies with the Shakeel-Rizwan duo to take Pakistan forward.

For Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud and Shariful Islam took two wickets each. Only 41 overs were bowled during the day, with Shakib Al Hasan bowling just 2 overs, conceding 12 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled 4 overs without taking a wicket, giving away runs at an economy rate of 6 per over.