Tigers' top-order continues to disappoint

Bangladesh's fragile top-order was once again exposed by the pace threat of Pakistan as the Tigers lost four wickets inside the first 10 overs after being put to follow-on on the final day of their second Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

After 11 overs, Bangladesh were left reeling at 27 for four with Pakistan pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali scalping two wickets each. 

It was the same old struggle of Bangladesh batters against the pace and swing of the Pakistan pace duo. Debutant Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the first to depart, failing to negotiate a Hasan delivery that nipped in to rattle the right-hander's stumps. Shadman Islam was soon undone by Shaheen as the left-handed batter failed to get his bat down in time and was trapped in front when the pacer had one come back inward after having swung the cherry away for the most occasions. 

Hasan then had Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque suffer the same fate. But the wicket was only confirmed after a long review as it seemed Mominul's bat was very near to the ball when it hit his pad. 

The other wicket of Najmul Hossain Shanto was a perfectly executed plan by Pakistan. Having two gullies in place, Shaheen bowled accordingly as his back of a length delivery had squared Shanto up, forcing him to give a catch to one of the fielders at gully. 

Bangladesh's top-order display has remained abysmal throughout the series. The top four batters accumulated a total of 34 runs in the first innings of this Test, in which the Tigers were bundled out for 87, their lowest total in Mirpur. Also, in the first Test in Chattogram, the same four batsmen were only able to score a total of 67 runs in both the innings of a game that Bangladesh lost by eight wickets.