Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza create history with 6 wickets vs Bangladesh, achieve what no Pakistan pace-bowling attack has on home soil

Pakistan’s rookie pacers Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza on September 1 created history at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium against Bangladesh. Shahzad and Hamza wreaked havoc with the new ball and reduced Bangladesh to 26/6 in 11.3 overs. This is the first time Pakistan pacers have taken six wickets in the first session in home Tests. 
 

The batting collapse

Starting Day 3 with an overnight score of 10 for no loss, Bangladesh suffered a batting collapse as they lost six wickets for just 12 runs. Shahzad drew first blood with the wicket of Zakir Hasan who handed an easy catch to square leg fielder Abrar Ahmed. In his fourth over, he got Shadman Islam's wicket with a brilliant delivery that crashed into leg stump. In the same over, he knocked over Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Hamza joined the party in the ninth over with the wicket of Mominul Haque. The leading edge off his bat carried to mid-on fielder Mohammad Ali. In the 11th over, he broke the backbone of Bangladesh batting lineup. Mushfiqur Rahim who scored a daddy hundred in the historic Test win edged one to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan as he attempted to defend. Shahzad continued his spell and trapped all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in front of the stumps. He bowled a fuller delivery angling on Shakib's pad. 

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Bangladesh found themselves struggling for 26/6 in the 12th over. At one point, they feared getting bowled out below their lowest Test score which is 43. However, after the opening spells of Shahzad and Hamza, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped Bangladesh recover from the batting collapse.

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Bold change works for Pakistan

While Shahzad was a part of the team that lost the first Test, Hamza replaced Shaheen Afridi for the second Test. Also, Naseem Shah was rested by skipper Shan Masood as well. 
 

It is a big improvement by Pakistan pacers as they were struggling for wickets in the first Test. Masood had included four seamers in the team and ignored Abrar Ahmed as he felt the conditions will suit them. But the ploy backfired as seamers toiled hard in the middle and there was assistance for spinners on last two days. 
 

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