Pakistan thrive on 'gift'

When you are successful and performing well it doesn't necessarily mean that you have got the licence to do whatever you want. This is exactly what Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim did after winning a good toss in the second Test against Pakistan at Mirpur yesterday.

He chose to field. The decision surprised all and sundry and gave Pakistan a gift which they grabbed with both hands to punish their opposition in every way possible.

It is not understandable why Mushfiqur decided against batting first, any captain with a positive frame of mind would have outright rejected without even entertaining the idea of whether his bowling is better than batting.

There might be one lamest of excuses for Mushfiqur that he wanted to exploit the moisture on the wicket, but the baking summer sun has burnt that weird idea associated with a confused captain, who speaks one thing but does exactly the opposite in the middle. If it was the case that he did not want to expose his batting, the strongest point of the Tigers, then it was better we stopped playing Test cricket which is not meant for cowards.

The decision to field only a few days after a world record second innings 312-run opening stand between Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes in the first Test, belied every conceivable logic.

It also allowed Pakistan to easily overcome that first one hour against a one-legged pace attack to eventually pack their punches in a most ruthless fashion.

Younis Khan and Azhar Ali put the ordinary Bangladesh bowling to the sword during their 250-run third wicket stand in 62 overs.

Pacer Mohammad Shahid, who had to take the bulk of the workload following the departure of injured Shahadat Hossain only after two deliveries, broke the partnership in the 85th over sending Younis back to the dressing room.

After keeper Mushfiqur failed to clutch the ball in the previous delivery, Younis only cut the next ball to reach the safe hands of Shuvagata Hom at gully to miss the 150-run mark only by two runs but his and Azhar's hundreds have steered Pakistan to 323 for 3 at stumps.

Both Younis and Azhar however were lucky as they had lifelines with Shahid and Soumya Sarkar overstepping.

Shahid, who gave early breakthrough by taking the wicket of last match's double-centurion Mohammad Hafeez with an impressive delivery, was very quick to get his second success as he got a thick outside edge to see the batsman land at third slip, but Azhar survived on 18 for overstepping.

On 78, Younis was caught at cover but this time Soumya overstepped and thus helping him complete his 29th hundred.

Barring Mushfiqur and vice-captain Tamim, Bangladesh used all their bowlers but only left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the other bowler after Shahid who got success, but it was batsman Sami Aslam who gifted him the wicket by playing a loose shot on a day which could have been a day for the home side had Mushfiqur applied logic.