Salahuddin blames indiscipline bowling for Pakistan’s fight back in Dhaka Test

After dominating the opening day, Bangladesh endured a frustrating second day as Pakistan reduced the hosts’ advantage and closed on 179 for 1 in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413.

Resuming on 301 for 3, Bangladesh lost their remaining seven wickets quickly despite crossing the 400-run mark.

Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s fightback with a five-wicket haul before the visitors’ top order piled further pressure on the hosts.

Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais added 106 runs for the first wicket, while debutants Azan and Abdullah Fazal stitched together an unbeaten 73-run stand after Imam’s dismissal.

Azan remained unbeaten on 85, while Fazal was not out on 37 at stumps. Pakistan still trail by 234 runs but have nine wickets in hand.

Speaking after the day’s play, Salahuddin said Bangladesh missed the chance to put the visitors under pressure.

“Pakistan bowled very well in the morning. I think if we could have added another 50 runs, it would have been much better, although we crossed 400,” he said.

“In bowling, we were a bit erratic today. In Test cricket, you need to know the areas where batters feel uncomfortable. Hopefully, we can improve that.”

Bangladesh’s pace attack struggled to maintain control, conceding runs at nearly four per over. Taskin Ahmed gave away 40 runs in eight overs, Ebadot Hossain conceded 38 from the same number of overs, while Nahid Rana leaked 47 runs in nine overs.

Salahuddin believes Bangladesh’s quick bowlers became overly focused on pace instead of accuracy.

“When there is grass on the wicket, fast bowlers can become overexcited and lose their line and length,” he said.

“Because there was movement, the bowlers perhaps thought they could beat the batters with extra pace, but bowling in the right areas was the most important thing.”