Pakistan’s Test team finally has a reason to celebrate on home soil after three long years, thanks to an incredible performance by fast bowler Khurram Shahzad. In the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, Shahzad delivered a stunning spell in Rawalpindi, taking 5 wickets in an innings for the first time in his career. His brilliant effort helped Pakistan take control of the second Test after a disappointing loss in the first match of the series.
Shahzad Shines as Bangladeshi Batting Crumbles
The second Test at Pindi Cricket Stadium saw Pakistan struggling with the bat, as they were bowled out for 274 runs in their first innings. Bangladesh, starting their innings on the third day with a score of 10, soon found themselves in deep trouble. Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza, ripped through Bangladesh’s top order, reducing them to 26/6 in a sensational display of fast bowling.
Khurram Shahzad, a right-arm fast bowler, was the main architect of Bangladesh’s collapse, picking up 5 wickets and tearing through their batting lineup. Among his victims was the experienced Shakib Al Hasan, who was dismissed cheaply. This fiery spell of bowling brought back memories of Pakistan’s glory days, as Shahzad delivered a performance that even the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah had failed to achieve in recent times.
A Stunning Partnership Rescues Bangladesh
Despite the early chaos, Bangladesh found some hope through a remarkable partnership between Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The duo put on 165 runs, targeting Shahzad and the other bowlers with aggressive batting. Litton and Mehidy’s partnership revived Bangladesh’s innings, with the pair hitting several boundaries and sixes off Shahzad’s bowling. However, Khurram kept his composure and eventually broke the partnership by catching Miraz off his own bowling, marking his first-ever five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Shahzad didn’t stop there; he went on to claim the wicket of Taskin Ahmed, finishing with impressive figures and cementing his place as Pakistan’s newest pace sensation. His outstanding performance not only put Pakistan in a commanding position but also ended the team’s three-year wait for a home Test five-wicket haul.
First Five-Wicket Haul at Home in Three Years
Khurram Shahzad’s feat is particularly special as it marks the first time in three years that a Pakistani fast bowler has taken five wickets in a home Test innings. The last time a Pakistani pacer achieved this was Hasan Ali in February 2021, also in Rawalpindi, against South Africa, where he took five wickets in both innings. Since then, Pakistan had endured a rough patch in Test cricket at home, with five losses and four draws in their next nine matches.
Shahzad’s heroics not only brought Pakistan a crucial advantage in the second Test but also gave fans a reason to rejoice after years of disappointing performances on home turf. His achievement stands out as a bright spot in Pakistan’s pace bowling lineup, proving that even lesser-known players can rise to the occasion when given the opportunity.
