DARWIN: Pakistan Shaheens had a commanding day in the field with bat and ball against Bangladesh ‘A’ as they set them a target of 428 on the third day of their first four-day match at the DXC Arena here on Sunday.

Bangladesh ‘A’ require 408 runs as they closed the day with 20-0 in seven overs.

Earlier, Bangladesh ‘A’ resumed their innings from the overnight score of 203-4 before succumbing to 266 all out in 76.2 overs as Shaheens took no time in wrapping up their innings.

Shahadat Hossain was stranded for 36 not out while none of the batters apart from Rejaur Rehman Raja (32 off 18) offered any resistance as their team added only 63 runs for six wickets leaving a deficit of 201 runs.

Test fast bowler Khurram Shahzad was the chief destroyer as he dismissed five batters in the first session claiming figures of 6-72 in 21.2 overs, his sixth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Moha­mmad Ali finished with 2-64 in 22 overs, while also holding up one end on the morning of the third day. Shahnawaz Dahani had one scalp to his name.

With a lead of 201 runs, Pakistan Shaheens began their second innings copping two early blows. Haseebullah departed for a six-ball duck while Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for eight, leaving Shaheens 20-2 in 5.1 overs.

Omair Bin Yousuf (100 not out off 123) and Mubasir Khan (95 off 134), promoted up the order, put on a mammoth 177-run third-wicket partnership to help Pakistan extend the lead over 400-mark.

Mubasir missed out on his fourth first-class century while Omair, playing his 50th first-class game, registered his 11th ton in the format. The declaration call came right after he reached his ton, with Shaheens scorecard reading 226-3 in 47.2 overs, setting Bangladesh 428 runs to win. Bangladesh bowlers toiled as Ripon Mondol, Rejaur Rehman and Mukidul Islam picked up one wicket each.

Scores in brief:

PAKISTAN SHAHEENS 467-3 (decl.) in 96.1 overs (Mohammad Huraira 218, Kamran Ghulam 100 not out, Sahibzada Farhan 66, Umar Amin 54; Ripon Mondol 2-84, Hasan Murad 1-130) and 226-3 (decl.) in 47.2 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 100 not out, Mubasir Khan 95; Ripon Mondol 1-38, Mukidul Islam 1-47); BANGLADESH ‘A’ 266 in 76.2 overs (Shadman Islam 88, Aich Mollah 70, Shahadat Hossain 36, Rejaur Rahman Raja 32; Khurram Shahzad 6-72, Mohammad Ali 2-64, Shahnawaz Dahani 1-50) and 20-0 in seven overs (Parvez Hossain Emon 10 not out, Shadman Islam 9 not out).

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2024