But there were other things too and then there was another game, the gripping Rawalpindi Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh that left you with two key takeaways Shadman Islam’s stonewalling excellence. Mushfiqur Rahim doing a reverse AB de Villiers impression without all the sixes if it is of significance to not have those Pakistan’s seamers, especially Mohammad Ali, focused on Bangladesh left-handed top-order batsmen turned the fourth and last match. Pakistan’s tactic of across the line bowling paid off when Ali had Shadman Islam caught behind with a push-drive. The same had fetched result on three ocassions during the day and Khurram Shahzad too did not stay behind as he scalped two batsmen in similar fashion.
Bangladesh was 199-4 at tea, still trailing the Pakistan first-innings total by 249 runs. It was part of a broader pattern of key moments coming just before breaks; earlier in the day, Shadman Islam brought up his fifty with a delicious boundary off Naseem Shah right before lunch; there had been another brief period when batsmen found strokeplay easier as the ball lost its shine.
Naseem Shah was Pakistan’s pick of the bowlers in his first game against Bangladesh, hitting a steady line and length to the left-handed top order batsmen at less than two an over – going for just 15 off his twelve overs. But he did cough up three boundaries in his final two overs of the morning prior to lunch. Mominul Haque too helped himself to two boundaries, perfectly picked uppercut over the slips and a booming drive.
A rearguard 94-run partnership for the third wicket between Shadman and Mominul steadied the hosts before Shahzad finally broke through with a full delivery. Mominul, or Mumin as fans in the press box call him affectionately cut a powerful punch through square point for three just before Shahzad delivered enough lateral movement to slide it past his front foot and disturb the woodwork. Both lbw decisions— one called by Shahzad and another which was reviewed to be going over the stumps on ball-tracking — went in favour of Bangladesh.
Shadman Islam (93 off 129) then raced from 64 to a boundary away from his century in just 25 balls, before Mohammad Ali had him for lbw. To an extent, Shadman proved as much by showing he knew how to upshift, but the entry was painstakingly slow for a Bangladeshi outfit that resumed at 27 without loss and quickly lost Zakir.
The day started with Pakistan making their first breakthrough in Naseem Shah’s over when an edge from Zakir Hasan off Rizwan, was taken by Mohammad. There were brief highlights such as Najmul Hossain Shanto spanking Shahzad through the covers, but not after Shahzad had shortened his length to remove him.
Bangladeshi wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim tried to resist as much as he could but failed eventually. While Mushfiqur Rahim stood like a rock, Shadman Islam dominated at his end which made the crucial difference in Bangladesh’s comeback innings. Shadman looked edgy against the short ball, but otherwise batted with restraint in a knock that was also distinguished by timely boundaries off both Yasir Shah and Hasan.
Playing in the sweltering heat of Rawalpindi, Shadman Islam was finally given a chance to score some quick runs when Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Ali Agha offered up width off successive deliveries. After Pakistan managed to secure a competitive first-innings total, the game turned into a close affair with Shadman Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim playing key supporting roles.
Related: Shadman Islam’s Fifty Leads