2nd Test: Nahid Rana's four-fer leaves Pakistan reeling in Rawalpindi
Bangladesh are on the cusp of a historic win in the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, thanks to an outstanding performance by Nahid Rana. The bowler took four crucial wickets during the morning session on Day 4, leaving Pakistan struggling at 150/9 by lunchtime. The hosts eventually finished at 172/10, setting Bangladesh a target of 185 runs. Meanwhile, this was Rana's maiden four-fer in Tests.
Rana's strikes shift momentum in Bangladesh's favor
The fourth day of the Test began with Pakistan aiming to recover from a challenging end to Day 3. Saim Ayub and Shan Masood started off promisingly but their efforts were thwarted when Ayub was dismissed by Taskin Ahmed. This dismissal paved the way for Rana to showcase his skills, first dismissing Pakistan's captain Masood, who edged a length delivery outside off-stump to wicketkeeper Litton Das.
Rana's aggressive spell continues, Azam falls for 11
Following Masood's dismissal, former captain Babar Azam came to the crease but was unable to make a significant impact. He was caught at first slip by Shadman Islam off a back-of-a-length delivery from Rana, further deepening Pakistan's troubles. The 21-year-old pacer also sent Saud Shakeel cheaply as Pakistan were reduced to 81/6. Tail-ender Abrar Ahmed was his final victim. Meanwhile, Rana's partner-in-crime Hasan Mahmud took five wickets.
Here we look at his stats
Rana finished with 4/44 across 11 overs. Notably, he took a solitary wicket in his first outing. The 21-year-old pacer has now raced to 11 wickets across three Tests at 41.09. Six of his wickets have come against Pakistan at 39.50. Notably, this was the fourth five-wicket haul of Rana's First-Class career. He now owns 74 wickets, averaging 24-plus.
How has the game proceeded?
Saim Ayub (58), Masood (57), and Agha Salman (54) scored fifties as Pakistan finished at 274/10 batting first. Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed 5/61. In response, Bangladesh were 26/6 before Litton Das (138) and Mehidy (78) helped them post 262. Khurram Shahzad took six wickets. As Pakistan managed 172 in their second outing, Bangladesh have been set a target of 185.
