Bangladesh players used a famous “Hera Pheri” line style of sledging during Day 4 of the second Test in Sylhet, targeting Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan during the closing phase of the visitors’ innings. The banter, picked up by stump microphones, mocked Rizwan’s exchange with the umpire and included chants about “overacting” and even a humorous suggestion to deduct “50 paise” over it.
Key takeaways
- The sledging happened in the 72nd over of Pakistan’s final innings, involving Mohammad Rizwan’s conversation with the on-field umpire.
- Bangladesh players were heard calling Rizwan an “overactor” and joking about docking him “50 paise,” even as he reached a half-century.
- Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha built a 134-run stand for the sixth wicket, but Taijul Islam broke it with key dismissals.
- Rizwan remained unbeaten on 75 as Pakistan were still 121 runs behind with only three wickets left.
- Bangladesh’s fast bowler Nahid Rana took 2/58, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam also delivered crucial breakthroughs.
Rizwan caught up in sledging during umpire chat
It remains unclear whether the Bangladesh group has seen the Bollywood hit Hera Pheri, but their on-field sledging mirrored an iconic style from the film as they went after Mohammad Rizwan in the 72nd over. During Pakistan’s final innings, Rizwan was spotted speaking with the umpire on the pitch.
While the stump mic did not provide the details of what was said in that specific exchange, it did clearly capture Bangladesh players mocking the wicketkeeper-batter. The chatter accused him of “overacting” and turned into a running joke suggesting he should be charged “50 paise” for it.
The stump mic repeatedly picked up lines along the same theme: “For overacting, we’ll dock 50 paise. Everyone knows it. Now that he has scored 50, he has cemented his place in the team, that’s why he is doing all this,” as heard from the Bangladesh camp.
Stand with Agha slows the pressure, then Taijul turns it
Despite the noise from the other end, Rizwan barely reacted. After finishing his discussion with the umpire, he walked back to his batting partner Salman Ali Agha and continued without any visible disruption.
The partnership between Rizwan and Agha—an eventual 134-run stand for the sixth wicket—started to frustrate Bangladesh’s plans. However, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam eventually found the breakthrough by piercing Agha’s defence with a slider.
Just one over later, Taijul struck again, dismissing Hasan Ali as well and swinging the momentum decisively back in Bangladesh’s favour. With those wickets, Pakistan’s situation tightened sharply despite the earlier resistance from their middle order.
Pakistan still need a miracle as the series moves toward a sweep
Rizwan, who was unbeaten on 75, remained Pakistan’s last significant hope. At that stage, Pakistan were still trailing by 121 runs and had only three wickets remaining in the second Test.
Pakistan had already lost the opening match of the series, leaving them on the brink of an embarrassing 0-2 whitewash in Bangladesh.
Rana and Miraz deliver early control; Masood and Babar fight back
Earlier in the day, fast bowler Nahid Rana set the tone with raw pace, troubling Pakistan throughout. He finished with figures of 2/58 and provided Bangladesh’s first breakthrough by removing Abdullah Fazal for six—guiding a short ball to gully.
Not long after that, off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped Azan Awais lbw for 21, further strengthening Bangladesh’s grip on the contest.
Still, Shan Masood and Babar Azam offered resistance. They negotiated Rana’s pace and kept the scoreboard ticking, putting up a 91-run partnership. That stand ended when Taijul Islam strangled Babar down the leg side for 47, cutting off the momentum.
Saud Shakeel then edged a sharp delivery from Nahid Rana behind, taking Pakistan to 162/6. Taijul followed that with another decisive strike, trapping Masood at short leg and leaving the visitors struggling to recover.
Rizwan and Agha briefly revive hopes, but Taijul closes the door
Although Rizwan and Agha managed a brief revival after the early damage, Taijul’s late wickets once again pulled Bangladesh back into the driving seat. With Rizwan still unbeaten on 75, Pakistan remained alive for the time being, but Bangladesh edged closer to a second consecutive series sweep over Pakistan.
