Watch: Babar Azam registers silver duck on opening day of Rawalpindi Test

Pakistan and Bangladesh kicked off their two-game Test series on Wednesday, August 21. Both sides faced off in the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with a delayed start on Day 1. The clash began with Pakistan coming in to bat first after losing the toss. As Pakistan came in to bat first, the innings took an unexpected turn for the side.

Opener Abdullah Shafique was sent packing for just two runs in 14 deliveries. Furthermore, skipper Shan Masood was sent back to the pavilion for just six runs as well. 

However, things went from bad to worse for the side after ace batter Babar Azam’s innings was cut short. Babar departed for a silver duck in the very first session of the opening day, turning things from bad to worse for the hosts. 

In the 8th over of the first innings, Shoriful Islam delivered a ball outside the leg stump as Babar attempted to guide the ball. However, even the slightest touch was enough. Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper, Litton Das, completed an exceptional diving catch, securing a one-handed stunner. 

Pakistan look to stabilise innings after early wickets

Pakistan find themselves in quite a troubled situation with the fall of early wickets against Bangladesh. Star players like Shan Masood and Babar Azam were shown the way to the pavilion, and it fell onto the middle order to stabilise the side’s innings. 

Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel built a solid partnership between them to keep things flowing for the hosts. Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud took the first three wickets for Pakistan to mount the pressure on them. 

Both sides are currently placed at the wrong end of the World Test Championship standings, and they will aim to register wins in the ongoing series to make their way up into the standings.