Bangladesh players celebrate after Saim Ayub’s wicket on Day 1 of 1st Test. (Picture Credit: AP)
After taking a 117-run lead in the first innings, Bangladesh managed to dismiss Saim Ayub before the end of the fourth day’s play to boost their chances of winning their first Test against Pakistan.
Star Bangladeshi spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz has said that if his team can manage to get early wickets on the fifth and final day of the ongoing first Test against Pakistan, then there is a high possibility that they will end the long wait for their first-ever Test win over Pakistan on Sunday (August 25).
The Bangladeshi team, which has lost 12 out of 13 Tests played against Pakistan so far, managed to take a handsome lead of 117 runs in the first innings on Saturday (August 24) and then dismissed Saim Ayub before the close of the fourth day’s play. The hosts still trail Bangladesh’s total by 94 runs and have only nine wickets in hand.
According to Mehidy, who scored 77 runs in the first innings for the visitors, Bangladesh is not thinking too far ahead, but they will be in great position if they get a few wickets in the first session.
“If our bowlers perform well in the first hour tomorrow, we’ll be in a good position. We’re not thinking too far ahead,” Mehidy told reporters. “We’ll have a great chance if we can take early wickets tomorrow. If we get a few wickets in the first session, we have a shot at winning.”
“We got a good lead, and now we need to bowl in the right areas and pick up early wickets. The bowlers did well in the last hour,” he said.
The 26-year-old bowling all-rounder added 196 runs for the seventh wicket with Mushiqur Rahim on Day 4, which helped Bangladesh take a big lead in the first innings. Mehidy praised Rahim and credited him for his knock as well.
“Mushfiq bhai and I had a good partnership. Credit goes to him for batting brilliantly and supporting me throughout. He kept telling me it was an excellent wicket and to keep playing well.”
“We’re really happy because it’s been a long time since we scored over 500 runs. The boys played really well. Shadman scored 93, and Litton Kumar Das also batted well. Not everyone will score, but some need to take responsibility, like Mushfiq bhai did. We’re in a good position and very happy,” he added.