3 things Pakistan need to do right to beat Bangladesh in 2nd Test 2024
Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 10 wickets in the first Test of the two-match bilateral series being played between the two nations at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium last week. This was also the first time Bangladesh beat Pakistan in Test cricket.
The hosts will be looking to make a strong comeback in the second Test, which has already got underway at the same venue. At the time of writing, Pakistan are 139/3 at the end of 40 overs in the second session of Day 2.
The visitors got the better of the hosts in the first Test by virtue of being sharper than them on the field and making the most of all the opportunities that came their way. The hosts will look to improve significantly in the second match.
In this listicle, we take a look at three things that Pakistan need to do right to beat Bangladesh in this Test.
#1 Bat responsibly for long periods of time
One of the first things that Pakistan have to do in this match is bat for long periods of time, and with a lot of responsibility. They did manage to do that in the first innings of the first Test, they failed spectacularly in the second.
Although they declared on 448/6 in the first innings, they were bowled out by a sharp Bangladeshi bowling attack for a mere 146 in the second innings. It allowed the latter to chase their target down with ten wickets in hand.
Babar Azam, their star batter has not been in the best of forms, so it is now up to the likes of Shan Masood, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Rizwan to put their hands up collectively and make the most of the chances coming their way.
#2 Bowl in the right areas with attacking fields
One department in which Pakistan failed in the first Test was while bowling to the Bangladeshi batters. The hosts picked four seamers to play on a dead flat surface, and this ended up biting them in the back.
The likes of Shaheen Afridi (who has been left out of the second Test), Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Ali were plastered across the ground by the Bangladeshi batters, who enjoyed playing against no seam movement.
While the hosts have brought in leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed for the second Test, they have to make sure that they set more attacking fields and challenge the Bangladeshi batters to play outside their comfort zones by bowling in the right areas.
#3 Attack the game with intent
Pakistan seemed to be a tad lacklustre in the first Test during a few phases, and this allowed Bangladesh to make the most of all the chances sent their way. The hosts' seamers seemed to lack a plan with which to attack the visitors.
Bangladesh will be hungrier than ever to win this Test and pick up their first series victory ever over Pakistan in this format of the game; the win will be even more special given that it will come on Pakistani soil.
The Shaheens need to make sure that they do not lack in application in this game and take the fight to their opponents. Skipper Masood needs to drill into his wards the need for them to win this game and draw the series to retain their reputation.