After his career-best 171, Mohammad Rizwan showcased his acrobatic skills behind the stumps as he grabbed a one-handed stunner to dismiss Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan on Day 3 of first Test. The crowd at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium witnessed an excellent catch from Rizwan as he dived to his left and took the catch in front of first slip fielder Babar Azam.
The opening partnership was broken in the fifth over bowled on Day 3. Naseem Shah managed to force an outside edge off left-handed batter Zakir's bat. As Rizwan took the catch, Babar hugged him.
Rizwan was picked ahead of Sarfaraz Ahmed in the first Test of the two-Test series. He justified his selection with a 171-run knock after Pakistan lost early wickets on Day 1. He remained unbeaten for 171 off 239 balls including 11 fours and three sixes. He shared a 240-run partnership for the fifth wicket with newly appointed vice-captain Saud Shakeel who scored 141 runs from 261 balls.
Masood’s declaration wasn’t sudden
When Rizwan was batting on 171, skipper Shan Masood declared the innings with an hour to go in Day 2’s play. As he walked back to the pavilion, Rizwan lobbed his bat to Babar. The whole team applauded the wicketkeeper-batter’s gritty knock. He had a chance to become third Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to score a double century in Tests but Masood declared when Pakistan’s score was 448/6.
Later, Shakeel clarified that there was a clear message from the dressing room well ahead of the declaration and Rizwan knew about it.
"I don't think the declaration was made hastily as Rizwan bhai was informed well in advance, in fact in prior. 1-1:30 hours earlier he had an idea about it that we will declare at this time and try we reach around 450," Shakeel said in the press-conference after Day 2’s play.
Skipper falls early
Like Masood, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto fell for a low score. He got bowled by Khurram Shahzad. Shanto became Shahzad’s maiden Test wicket at home. He scored 16 runs from 42 balls.
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