Shan Masood, Saim Ayub slam fifties against Bangladesh: Key stats
Pakistan's cricket team captain Shan Masood hammered a fine half-century on Day 2 of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi cricket stadium. The southpaw batted with great intent and scored a 69-ball 57 with the help of two fours. Meanwhile, opener Saim Ayub also scored a fine half-century, 58 off 110 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes). Their fifties were particularly significant after the first day of play was disrupted by continuous rain.
Early setback and strategic decisions
Bangladesh, who clinched the opening Test, won the toss and elected to bowl. The match began with Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed dismissing Abdullah Shafique for a duck in the first over. Despite this early setback, Masood and Saim Ayub managed to withstand the initial seam movement from Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud. Both batters showcased great character on a grassy pitch and added 107 runs before Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped Masood lbw. Ayub also fell to Mehidy.
Masood races past 1,800 Test runs
Masood achieved his 10th Test half-century before lunch, remaining unbeaten with 53 runs off 62 balls. However, he could add only four runs to his score in the afternoon session. With this knock, Masood has raced to 1,855 runs from 35 Tests at an average of 28.53. The tally includes four tons. As per ESPNcricinfo, he has completed 177 runs against Bangladesh at 44.25 (50: 1, 100: 1).
2nd Test fifty for Ayub
This was Ayub's second Test fifty as his maiden one came in the opener of the ongoing series. He scored 56 and 1 in that game. The 22-year-old has now raced to 148 runs across three Tests at 29.60. As per ESPNcricinfo, he hit his fifth fifty in First-Class cricket. He has also tallied three tons in the red-ball format.
