Shaheens make a strong impression with their bowling on the first day of the second four-day match.

On the opening day of the second four-day match at DXC Arena in Darwin, Pakistan Shaheens are trailing by 219 runs with eight wickets remaining. They ended the day at 39-2 after 16 overs, having previously bowled out Bangladesh ‘A’ for 258 runs.

Ripon Mondol dismissed Shaheens’ openers Sahibzada Farhan (4, 13 balls) and Haseebullah (18, 46 balls, 3 fours). Mohammad Ali (1 not out, 5 balls), who came in as a night-watchman, will resume play alongside Omair Bin Yousuf (7 not out, 33 balls, 1 four) on the second day.

Earlier, Pakistan Shaheens’ captain Sahibzada chose to bowl first, and Kashif Ali took the first wicket, dismissing Shadman Islam in the eighth over. Parvez Hossain Emon (30, 75 balls, 4 fours) and skipper Mahmudul Hasan Joy formed a 60-run second-wicket partnership before Khurram Shahzad removed Emon.

Khurram and Faisal Akram then struck twice in quick succession, with Khurram getting Amite Hasan out leg-before for seven in the 28th over, and Faisal dismissing Shahadat Hossain for one in the next over. With Bangladesh ‘A’ at 104-4, Mahmudul (69, 90 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) and Aich Mollah added 54 runs for the fifth wicket before Kashif dismissed Mahmudul.

Bangladesh ‘A’ faltered again at 188-7 when Aich Mollah (55, 80 balls, 7 fours) was caught behind and Hasan Murad was run out by Haseebullah.

Crucial late contributions from Mahidul Hasan Ankon (31, 43 balls, 6 fours), Rejaur Rehman Raja (28, 34 balls, 5 fours), and Ripon Mondol (17, 40 balls, 2 fours) helped Bangladesh ‘A’ reach 258 runs in 67.3 overs.

Pacers Khurram and Kashif took three and two wickets respectively, while Faisal Akram and Kamran Ghulam each claimed two wickets.