Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz believes the hosts can make Pakistan’s first-Test trip to Dhaka uncomfortable if they manage to post a first-innings total in the 290 to 399 band. Speaking after the third day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Miraz pointed out that the match is still finely poised, with Bangladesh holding a first-innings advantage but not yet a “big lead” that would settle the contest.
Mehidy’s view on the target and the contest
- Miraz said there are still two days left and that the outcome is effectively balanced because Bangladesh have not built a commanding cushion yet.
- He stressed that Bangladesh need to take ownership with the bat, adding that in Mirpur conditions it is difficult to predict what score will truly be safe.
- He suggested that a minimum total around 290 or 300 could give Bangladesh a highly competitive platform—one that their bowlers could defend on a wicket that offers assistance.
- Miraz also warned that batting is likely to become far tougher on days four and five, so every batter must play with responsibility.
Bangladesh had prepared a wicket tailored for pace bowlers, but it was Miraz who dominated the day through disciplined spin. He finished with figures of 5 for 102, delivering his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. His spell ensured Bangladesh ended the day with a lead of 34 runs in the first innings, with both openers remaining unbeaten in the second innings after just 1.5 overs.
At the close, Mahmudul Hasan Joy was on two and Shadman Islam had yet to score, but play was halted early due to bad light, cutting short the second-innings progress.
How Miraz explained his five-wicket haul
Miraz said there was not a large amount of turn available, yet he tried to land the ball in the right sections. He noted that while not every delivery spun, enough variation and grip were present to create uncertainty for the batters, which helped him take wickets.
He added that his initial responsibility was simply to bowl to the correct areas. At the time he came on, Bangladesh were slightly behind in terms of momentum—runs had been conceded without enough wickets—so his immediate job was to clamp down on scoring. He said that if he had also allowed runs to flow, the match would have opened up, giving Pakistan room to add an extra 30 to 40 runs and push Bangladesh further behind.
Miraz also outlined his general Test approach on true pitches: bowl tightly, hold one end steady, and treat wicket-taking late in the day as a bonus. He explained that his mindset shifts toward a more attacking stance in the second innings when the surface starts to turn, even though he felt the wicket was not spinning much overall during this phase.
The bowling partnership and pressure created
Miraz further credited the team’s bowling partnership with Taskin Ahmed. He said they bowled effectively from both ends, applying pressure together and forcing Pakistan into errors. Miraz framed Test cricket as a contest of control: if bowlers consistently stay in good areas and prevent runs, chances will eventually present themselves.
He said his own focus was on maintaining tight bowling at one end, while Taskin looked for wickets from the other. Eventually, Miraz was also able to break through, and he concluded that the bowling partnership was excellent.
