The opening Test match of the Pakistan–Bangladesh series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium kicked off on Wednesday, with fans eagerly anticipating a gripping contest. Both teams were looking to establish early dominance in the two-match series, but it was Bangladesh that seized control from the outset. The pitch, known for its assistance to bowlers early on, did no favors for Pakistan’s top order as the visitors delivered a spirited bowling performance.
Pakistan endures horror start
Pakistan’s start to the first Test was nothing short of a nightmare. After being put in to bat first by Bangladesh, the hosts found themselves in deep trouble, losing three wickets within the first 50 deliveries of the match. Hasan Mahmud struck the initial blow, dismissing opener Abdullah Shafique for just 2 runs off 14 balls. The Pakistani batting lineup continued to unravel as Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam took center stage.
Shoriful wreaked havoc with his fast and accurate deliveries, removing both captain Shan Masood and former skipper Babar Azam in quick succession. The early strikes left Pakistan reeling, and the pressure on the remaining batsmen intensified as they tried to recover from the early blows.
Shan Masood’s dismissal
Captain Masood’s dismissal in the seventh over added to Pakistan’s woes. Facing Shoriful, Masood tried to defend a ball that was short of a length and nipped back in from outside off. The delivery passed through the gate, seemingly grazing the bat, and was caught by wicketkeeper Litton Das. Bangladesh immediately appealed, but the on-field umpire sided with Pakistan, giving Masood the benefit of the doubt.
However, Bangladesh opted for a review, and the UltraEdge technology showed a spike. The spike appeared when the ball hit Masood’s pads after passing the bat, but despite this, third umpire Michael Gough controversially ruled Masood out. The decision left the Pakistan captain visibly frustrated as he made his way off the field.
Also READ: PAK vs BAN: Fans mercilessly troll Babar Azam for his flop show with the bat on Day 1 of first Test
Controversy and frustration
Masood was clearly unhappy with the decision, arguing aggressively with the on-field umpires before leaving the field. The controversy didn’t end there, as Masood was later seen in the dressing room, reviewing the footage of his dismissal. He pointed out to his teammates where the technology seemed to have erred, further fueling the frustration in the Pakistani camp.
The controversial decision sparked heated discussions among cricket fans and pundits alike, with many questioning the third umpire’s haste in making the call. The incident highlighted the ongoing challenges with the implementation of technology in cricket and its impact on crucial match moments.
Here is the video:
Controversial decision of Shan Masood. What’s your opinion? #PAKvsBAN pic.twitter.com/HmlLwITi1g
— Usman Jamil (@thtpakistaniguy) August 21, 2024
Babar Azam falls for a duck
To compound Pakistan’s misery, Shoriful struck again in his very next over, dismissing former captain Babar for a two-ball duck. Babar attempted to glance a short of a length delivery down the leg side, but the ball took a thick edge. Wicketkeeper Litton, who was having an excellent day behind the stumps, pulled off a stunning one-handed diving catch to complete the dismissal.
Babar’s early exit was a huge blow to Pakistan, leaving the team in disarray with three of their top-order batters back in the pavilion within the first hour of play. With Bangladesh on the front foot and Pakistan desperately needing a recovery, the opening Test in Rawalpindi has already proven to be a stern test of the hosts’ resilience.