Dhaka Test
Dhaka Test set to resume on Day 4
After a washout on Day 3, the Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan is all set to resume Tuesday morning as the weather gets better.
Relentless rain cost an entire day of action on Monday. But with the showers stopping on Tuesday morning, the field has been prepared for the match. However, the final nod depends on the weather, officials said.
Read: Shakib’s inner child comes out on rain-soaked day
When the match was stopped on Day 2, on Sunday, Pakistan were batting at 188 for two in 63.2 overs, with both Azhar Ali and Babar Azam hitting a fifty each.
There were only 6.2 overs of cricket left on Day two, and Day one was also hit by bad weather when the match referee called an early end of the day due to bad light.
Dhaka Test: Persistent rain forces cricketless day 3
The third day of the Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan has been called out without a ball bowled due to relentless rain on Monday.
At around 2pm on Monday, the match referee called the day off. There were only 6.2 overs of cricket on Sunday— the second day of the Test, and the first day was also affected by inclement weather.
Read:Dhaka Test: Relentless rains make 3rd day play uncertain
The broadcast crew and journalists who came to cover the match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium were seen to play indoor cricket with the tennis ball this afternoon.
There was an early tea break on day one as well. Due to the bad light on the ground, the match referee had to stop the match at that point in time. The match referee said the match would start half an hour earlier than the regular time in the remaining days.
Had the rain stopped, it would have taken at least an hour to make the field prepared to resume the game. Sher-e-Bangla has a modern drainage system in the country, still, it would not be possible to prepare the field in less than an hour if the rain stopped fully.
When the play paused for the last time, Pakistan were batting at 188 for two in 63.2 overs with both Azhar Ali (52), and Babar Azam (71) hitting a fifty each. For Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam bagged two wickets in the first session of the match on day one.
Earlier, Pakistan won the first match of the series in Chattogram by eight wickets despite some good displays from Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim and Taijul Islam. While Liton hit his maiden Test ton, Mushfiqur hit 91, and Taijul bagged seven wickets in an innings.
In contrast, Abid Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Hassan Ali have done well for the tourists to seal the match.
With this series, both Bangladesh and Pakistan have started the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. In the previous cycle, Bangladesh played seven matches and lost six of them with only a draw.
Read:Shakib’s inner child comes out on rain-soaked day
After this series, Bangladesh will fly to New Zealand to play a two-match Test series against the hosts starting from January 1 in Tauranga. The second Test of the series will be played from January 9 in Christchurch.
Bangladesh have already announced an 18-member squad for this series. The team will take the flight to New Zealand on December 9.
Dhaka Test: Relentless rains make 3rd day play uncertain
Relentless rain caused by depression in the Bay of Bengal made the third day of the Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan uncertain.
According to the latest update that came around 12pm on Monday, the teams are yet to leave the hotel for the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
There were only 6.2 overs of cricket on Sunday— the second day of the Test, and the first day was also affected by bad weather.
Read:Shakib’s inner child comes out on rain-soaked day
If the rain stops, it would take at least an hour to make the field ready to resume the game. Sher-e-Bangla has a modern drainage system in the country. Still, it won’t be possible to prepare the field in less than an hour if the rain stops fully.
When the play paused for the last time, Pakistan were batting at 188 for two in 63.2 overs with both Azhar Ali (52), and Babar Azam (71) hitting a fifty each. For Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam bagged two wickets in the first session of the match on day one.
Earlier, Pakistan won the first match of the series in Chattogram by eight wickets despite some good displays from Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim and Taijul Islam. While Liton hit his maiden Test ton, Mushfiqur hit 91, and Taijul bagged seven wickets in an innings.
In contrast, Abid Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Hassan Ali have done well for the tourists to seal the match.
Dhaka Test: Persistent rain ends “nearly” cricketless 2nd day
The first day of the Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan was ended early due to bad light, and the second day also had an abrupt end due to persistent rain.
There were only 6.2 overs of play, and in those overs, Pakistan added 22 runs. At the end of the day, Pakistan were at 188 for two in 63.2 overs with Azhar Ali and Babar Azam were not out for 52 and 71 respectively.
Around 3pm on Sunday, the second day of play was called off, a few hours earlier than the regular time.
Read:Dhaka Test: Play of day two delayed by rain
According to the weather forecast, the spectators should not hope for much play tomorrow as well.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rain or thundershowers in many parts of the country in the next 24 hours, a forecast is attributed to the deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
There was no play after the tea break of day one as well. When play stopped, Pakistan were batting at 161 for two with Azhar Ali and Babar Azam were unbeaten for 36 and 60 respectively.
Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam bagged two wickets in the first session of the match.
Earlier, in the first Test in Chattogram, Bangladesh lost by eight wickets.
Read:Shakib writes to BCB to skip NZ tour
This is Bangladesh’s first series in the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. In the previous cycle, Bangladesh played seven matches and lost six of them with only a draw.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh announced an 18-member squad for the New Zealand tour to play two Tests. Shakib Al Hasan is included in the team, but the southpaw applied for leave during the series. The board is yet to respond to his letter.
Dhaka Test: Play of day two delayed by rain
Play of day two of the Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan delayed by the rain on Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
At 11:25 am on Sunday, the match referee declared an early lunch break in Mirpur.
According to the Bangladesh Metrological Department, the weather got bad due to deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Saturday predicted rain or thundershowers in many parts of the country in the next 24 hours.
READ: Shakib writes to BCB to skip NZ tour
There was no play after the tea break of day one as well. When play stopped, Pakistan were batting at 161 for two with Azhar Ali and Babar Azam were unbeaten for 36 and 60 respectively.
Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam bagged two wickets in the first session of the match.
Earlier, in the first Test in Chattogram, Bangladesh lost by eight wickets.
READ: Shoriful added to Bangladesh’s Test team for New Zealand tour
This is Bangladesh’s first series in the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. In the previous cycle, Bangladesh played seven matches and lost six of them with only a draw.
Dhaka Test: Bad light forces early end of day one
When the players of both teams were waiting for better daylight around 3:45pm, Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim was seen to take a bat and walk for the Mirpur Indoor facility crossing the main field to knock at the nets when he was supposed to field in Pakistan’s first innings of the Dhaka Test.
It was the effect of the bad light that forced an early end of day one of the Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan on Saturday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
There was not a bowl bowled after the tea break of the day. The umpires took the field after the tea break, but the light was not enough to resume the game so they called the players to go back to the dressing room and wait for the weather to get better.
Also read: Dhaka Test: Taijul strikes twice to ruin Pakistan’s cautious start
But the weather did not change any further, and the day was called off at 4:06pm (Bangladesh time). The match will resume half an hour early in the remaining four days of this match, as the match referee has confirmed.
The weather turned bad due to the effect of the cyclone “Jawad”, according to the weather officials. Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rain or thundershowers in many parts of the country in the next 24 hours, a forecast is attributed to the deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal, UNB reported earlier.
At the tea, Pakistan were batting at 161 for 2 adding 91 in the third wicket stand. Babar brought up a fifty, 60 off 99 balls, and Azhar also was also marching forward, 36 off 112 balls.
In the first session of the match, Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Taijul Islam bagged two wickets removing both Pakistan openers— Abdullah Shahfique and Abid Ali.
The southpaw ruined a cautious start by Pakistan openers who added 59 on the board after deciding to bat first winning the toss.
But in the third wicket stand, Babar and Azhar hold it firm to help Pakistan rule the second session quite comfortably.
Bangladesh bowlers failed to offer even a single instance of resistance against the quality batting of Babar and Azhar in the second session of the day. There were a few sneaky deliveries from Taiju, but those were not enough to break this partnership.
Bangladesh made three changes to the playing XI of Chattogram. Saif Hassan was ruled out due to a fever while Yasir Ali and Abu Jayed Rahi were also overlooked to pave the way for the debutant Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shakib Al Hasan and Khaled Ahmed.
Also read: Dhaka Test: Tigers set to take on Pakistan Saturday, hope to draw the series
Bangladesh pacers— Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed— failed to make an imperious start as their early spells ended with bowling only nine overs— Ebadot bowled five overs, and Khaled, who returned to Test after more than two years, bowled four overs without a bit of luck.
Bangladesh lost the first match of this two-match series in Chattogram despite some good displays from Liton Das, who hit his maiden Test ton, Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 91, and Taijul bagged seven wickets.
This series is the first for both Bangladesh and Pakistan in the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. In the previous edition of this event, Bangladesh played seven Tests but failed to register any win.
Dhaka Test: Taijul strikes twice to ruin Pakistan’s cautious start
Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam struck twice in the morning session of the Dhaka Test to ruin a cautious start of Pakistan at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.At the lunch of day one, Pakistan were batting at 78 for two, with Azhar Ali and captain Babar Azam remaining unbeaten at 6 and 8, respectively. Bangladesh made three changes to the playing XI of Chattogram. Saif Hassan was ruled out due to a fever while Yasir Ali and Abu Jayed Rahi were also overlooked to pave the way for the debutant Mahmudul Hasan Joy, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and bowler Khaled Ahmed. Both Bangladeshi pacers -- Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed -- failed to make an imperious start as their early spells ended with bowling only nine overs. Ebadot bowled five overs, and Khaled, who returned to Test after more than two years, bowled four overs without a bit of luck.
READ: Dhaka Test: Tigers set to take on Pakistan Saturday, hope to draw the series
In contrast, Taijul staged some wonderful bowling displays with a good amount of bounce that often made the batters uncomfortable in the middle.Pakistan posted 59 on the board for the first wicket before Taijul removed Abdullah Shafique, 25, who was impressive in his debut in Chattogram. It was a sneaky arm ball by Taijul. Shafique was hoping for a turn, but the ball shattered his off stump. Taijul also removed the other opener, Abid Ali, 39, who hit a ton and a well-composed 91 in Chattogram. This time, Abid tried to cut the ball but an inside edge sent it to the stumps.
READ: Yasir determined to prove his mettle
With this Test, Shakib returned to Mirpur in white after almost three years. The sooner he comes back with his bowling glory in this Test, the sooner the Tigers can bundle the tourists.
Pakistan opt to bat first in Dhaka Test
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first in the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday morning.
The hosts will bank on their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has staged a comeback along with right-arm pacer Khaled Ahmed. It will be marked as Shakib’s first Test in Mirpur in three years. He last played in Mirpur in November 2018.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the right-handed batter, is making his Test debut in Saturday's match at the age of 21 years, with Bangladesh making three changes to the playing XI from their first Test.
Mahmudul has played a total of eight First-class matches and scored 574 runs at an average of 41.00, with two centuries and two fifties in his kitty.
Read: Yasir determined to prove his mettle
He was one of Bangladesh’s mainstays during the U-19 World Cup triumph last year in South Africa.
Bangladesh have replaced Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali and Abu Jayed Rahi with Mahmudul, Shakib and Khaled.
Saif, the right-handed opener, was diagnosed with typhoid, according to the Bangladesh Cricket Board. So one change was inevitable for the Tigers.
Shakib was so close to playing the first Test, but the hamstring injury delayed his return to Tests. The southpaw played his last Test in July 2021 in Zimbabwe while Khaled returned to Tests after about three years. He played his last Test in 2019 in Hamilton.
Pakistan did not make any change to their playing XI from Chattogram Test that they won by eight wickets. That was the first match for both teams in the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.
Read: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh, Pakistan teams return from Chattogram
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (w), Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain
Pakistan (Playing XI): Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (w), Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Afridi
Dhaka Test: Tigers set to take on Pakistan Saturday, hope to draw the series
Buoyed by the return of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan Bangladesh are set to take on Pakistan in the second Test of the two-match series on Saturday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The hosts lost by eight wickets the first Test of the series, which was also the first Test of Bangladesh in the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, in Chattogram.
Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim and Taijul Islam have done well, but their efforts were not enough to avoid a big defeat.
Read: Yasir determined to prove his mettle
But the Tigers are eager to compose a turnaround in Dhaka when they are going secure the service of Shakib, who missed the first game due to a leg injury.
“It’s great that we are going to get back Shakib,” Mominul Haque, the Test captain of Bangladesh told the media on Friday in the pre-match press conference. “He is the number one all-rounder, and with him in the team, we can play an extra bowler and an extra batter.”
Along with Shakib, Bangladesh also called back Taskin Ahmed to the 20-member squad which has decreased to 19-member after Saif Hassan was diagnosed with typhoid fever.
Taskin was in the T20I series, but he hurt his hand right before the Test series and missed the first match. However, it’s not clear if he is fully fit to take part in Dhaka Test.
“We have to wait until tomorrow morning to make a decision about his participation in the Dhaka Test,” the Bangladesh captain added. “But, I think he will have no problem travelling to New Zealand.”
In a surprise move Bangladesh also called Mohammad Naim for the Dhaka Test though his record in last few years had not been impressive.
“We needed a backup opener, and we thought Naim is the best option as he was playing international cricket for a while now. If we called someone else from the domestic circuit and fielded him in the Test, (it would have been a bad move),” Mominul said.
Read: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh, Pakistan teams return from Chattogram
With Naim, Bangladesh has four uncapped players-- Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shohidul Islam, Rejaur Rahman Raja. Mominul said he is confident enough about the young guns who can deliver well if they get a chance.
In the first Test, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali registered a five-for each to trouble the Tigers. In contrast, Bangladesh pacers— Abu Jayed Rahi and Ebadot Hossain-- were mostly stagnant. They only bagged two wickets in the match.
Bangladesh captain believes the Dhaka wicket will be better than Chattogram and will help all to do well.
Shakib joins national team ahead of Dhaka Test
Ahead of the Dhaka Test against Pakistan starting on December 4, ace Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan joined the national team on Thursday.
Shakib started practice alone a few days ago, but he needed to get tested for Covid-19 and return negative to join the national team.
On Thursday afternoon, he practised with the team and later joined the team hotel. Shakib missed the first Test due to a hamstring injury that he sustained on October 29 against West Indies during the T20 World Cup.
Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Shakib Al Hasan on his way to reach another milestone
Bangladesh lost the first Test by eight wickets in Chattogram despite some wonderful displays by Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim and Taijul Islam. Liton hit his maiden Test ton, Mushfiqur posted 91, and Taijul, the left-arm spinner, scalped seven wickets.
They were bettered by the fast bowlers of Pakistan- Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali, and Pakistan opener Abid Ali hits a century and posted 91 as well.
The hosts suffered immensely in the first Test due to the lack of an extra bowler. That deficit might be negotiated well in the presence of Shakib who will also be a great option for batting.
Bangladesh have four uncapped players in the Dhaka Test squad— Mohammad Naim, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shohidul Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Yasir Ali Rabbi was also uncapped ahead of the first Test, and the batter got his maiden cap in that match in Chattogram which is also his hometown.
However, Bangladesh released right-handed opener Saif Hassan, who was diagnosed with typhoid recently. BCB did not call any replacement for him.
Along with Shakib, Bangladesh also included Taskin Ahmed for the Dhaka Test. The right-arm pacer played the T20I series, but he got injured and was ruled out of the first Test.
Abu Jayed and Ebadot Hossain were in Bangladesh’s pace-bowling attack, but they failed to help the team properly.
Read: ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2022: Five Bangladeshi Cricketers who could shine in New Zealand
With this series, Bangladesh started the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. In the previous cycle, Bangladesh played a total of seven Tests and failed to win any of them.
Pakistan team has also started preparation for the Dhaka Test. A few members of the Pakistan team including captain Babar Azam took part in an optional training session on Thursday.
After this series, Bangladesh will tour New Zealand for a two-match series. The Tigers will fly for New Zealand on December 9.