On Day 2 of the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the Pakistan middle order provided a much-needed rescue act.
Saud Shakeel’s patient hundred
Saud Shakeel played a crucial innings on Day 2 of the first Test against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Making his debut as the vice-captain, Shakeel scored a patient hundred off 195 balls, rescuing Pakistan from an early collapse. Shakeel’s innings was marked by composure and skill, helping Pakistan recover from a precarious position at 57 runs on Day 1. This century is Shakeel’s third in Test cricket, highlighting his emerging talent and consistency. With a career tally of around 1100 runs at an impressive average of 67.50, Shakeel has established himself as a key player for Pakistan in the longest format.
Mohammad Rizwan’s aggressive century
Alongside Shakeel, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan played a pivotal role. Rizwan ended a two-year wait for a Test century, scoring 100 off 143 balls. His aggressive approach included eight boundaries and four sixes, showcasing his ability to dominate the bowlers. Rizwan’s innings helped Pakistan build a solid platform after the early collapse. With this century, Rizwan became the second-most successful wicketkeeper-batter for Pakistan in terms of centuries scored at home. His last hundred came in March 2022 against Australia in Karachi.
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Impactful partnership for Pakistan
The partnership between Shakeel and Rizwan was instrumental in Pakistan’s recovery. Adding now over 200 runs for the fifth wicket, the duo helped Pakistan recover from a precarious position. Their stand was vital in shifting the momentum in Pakistan’s favor after a challenging start to the Test. Pakistan capitalize on the solid innings by Shakeel and Rizwan. Despite the early collapse on Day 1, Pakistan’s recovery was led by these two centuries, allowing them to establish a commanding position. Young Saim Ayub also contributed with a valuable 56, adding to the strength of Pakistan’s batting.
Here’s how fans reacted:
3rd test 100 for Mohammad Rizwan.
3rd test 100 for Saud Shakeel.
Pakistan having a perfect day…#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/JSclPOdNLP— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) August 22, 2024
A match-saving 200-run partnership between Rizwan and Saud Shakeel!🔥 After losing 3 wickets for just 16 runs yesterday, Pakistan is now in a strong position. #PAKvsBAN pic.twitter.com/xdD2W3P8Ld
— Waheed Malik (@waheed__malik) August 22, 2024
Saud Shakeel becomes the joint-fastest Pakistani batter to reach 1,000 Test runs!
37, 76, 63, 94, 23, 53, 55*, 125*, 32, 208*, 30, 57, 28, 24, 9, 24, 5, 2, 40*
He has scored one double hundred, one hundred, and five fifties,an incredible display of consistency! pic.twitter.com/WmScKpkyKr
— junaiz (@dhillow_) August 21, 2024
Saud shakeel is the real meaning of consistency. 3rd century in test cricket. Very well done champ, the backbone of pakistan’s middle order 🌠
— Ayesha Masroor (@AyeshaMasroor56) August 22, 2024
A third Test century for Saud Shakeel, who has scored the most runs for Pakistan in the format after 20 innings.
3 tons and 6 fifties in those 20 innings.
Debut game as vice captain of Pakistan, and a memorable one already!
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) August 22, 2024
Third test 💯 for Saud Shakeel 👏
He is yet again proving himself the best middle order batter for Pakistan in middle order Masha’Allah 🙌#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/o7s7BYrnQT
— Shahzaib Ali 🇵🇰 (@DSBcricket) August 22, 2024
What a innings Saud Shakeel
Showing his class
Classy test hundred
👏👏👏@tapmadtv #tapmad #HojaoAdFree #PakvBan pic.twitter.com/KRnl4cfP6U— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) August 22, 2024
1000 test runs for Saud Shakeel. And he’s only playing his 11th game. Very sad how years of his career have been wasted. He made his debut way too late. Probably the best test batsman in the country right now. pic.twitter.com/5iAbsoWy0N
— Haroon (@hazharoon) August 21, 2024
3rd Test ton for Mohammad Rizwan 🙌
Fantastic knock with some fantastic shots!! #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/cIVYmX4mA8
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) August 22, 2024
PCT is lucky to have an asset like Rizwan. What a player.
— مدثر حسن وانى (@kaeshurr1) August 22, 2024
Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan complete their century and Bangladesh continue to suffer. pic.twitter.com/AdrFCE1w0v
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) August 22, 2024
3rd Test hundred for Mohammad Rizwan 👏#cricket #PAKvBAN #MohammadRizwan #Pakistan #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/DHSUFJWwS8
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 22, 2024
Also READ: PAK vs BAN: Fans mercilessly troll Babar Azam for his flop show with the bat on Day 1 of first Test
