Twitter Reactions: Shaheen Afridi’s four-fer gives Pakistan control despite Mohammad Mithun’s fifty

Pakistan clearly turned out to be the stronger side after the first day’s play of the Rawalpindi Test against Bangladesh. After hustling and bustling, Mominul Haque’s Tigers were bowled out for 233 in 82.5 overs. Their innings was a witness to plenty of partnerships, but none could flourish. The Pakistan pace trio turned out to be a tough nut to crack for the visiting team on a lively surface.

Pakistan pacers run riot

The Tigers got off to the worst possible start after losing both their openers, Tamim Iqbal and debutant Saif Hassan, perished inside the first two overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Abbas gave Pakistan the ascendancy from the outset. But Najmul Hossain Shanto (44) and Mominul Haque (30) pulled things back with a 59-run stand. Mominul threw his wicket away, going for a rash cover drive.

At Lunch, the visitors found themselves at 95 for three with Shanto and Mahmudullah (25) in the middle. To Bangladesh’s frustration, Abbas got rid of Najmul in the very first over of the second session. A few overs later, Afridi picked his third wicket in the form of Mahmudullah. With the score at 107, half the Tigers’ batting was back to the hut with a number of them perishing after starts.

Mithun plays a lone hand

Liton Das (33) churned out seven fours before Haris Sohail trapped him in his first over with the help of the DRS. Liton was involved in a 54-run stand with Mohammad Mithun. After Liton got out, Taijul Islam (24) showed grit and put on a crucial partnership of 53 runs along with Mithun. He perished to Sohail in a quest to up the ante. A couple of overs later, Afridi rattled Rubel Hossain’s woodwork.

At the other end, Mithun notched his second Test fifty off 137 balls. Eventually, Naseem Shah accounted for his wicket, again using the DRS. The pacer found Mithun’s outside edge to pick up the ninth wicket. Mithun was arguably Bangladesh’s standout batter with 63 runs, laced with seven fours and a six. Abbas’ direct hit to run Abu Jayed Rahi out pulled the curtains down on the innings.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to the day’s play: