Shaheen Afridi once again became the centre of attention after an umpire raised concerns over alleged ball tampering during the Pakistan Super League. The fast bowler later found himself involved in another contentious episode during Pakistan’s first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, where video appeared to show him altering the ball’s condition.
The controversy erupted on the fourth day of the opening Test. During Bangladesh’s second innings, Afridi was seen pressing the ball under his spikes. The on-field umpire noticed the act immediately, took the ball from Afridi, and inspected it closely before a decision was made.
Following the examination, the umpire did not identify anything irregular and returned the ball to Afridi, enabling him to complete his over without further action.
Pakistan on tour as Bangladesh presses ahead
Pakistan are currently in Bangladesh for a two-match Test series, with the first Test beginning on May 8. Bangladesh, after posting 413 in their first innings, managed to dismiss Pakistan for 386 and then extended their advantage further in the second innings.
On Day 4, at the close of play, Bangladesh were 152/3, holding a lead of 179 runs. Najmul Hossain Shanto was unbeaten on 58, while Mushfiqur Rahim remained at 16 when the day’s action ended.
Bangladesh lose early wickets, Shanto steadies innings
Bangladesh suffered two setbacks shortly after resuming on 7/0. Mahmudul Hasan Joy was trapped lbw by Mohammad Abbas for five. Shadman Islam then fell to a gully catch off Hasan Ali for 10, leaving the hosts reeling at 23/2.
From there, Shanto and Mominul Haque repaired the innings with a vital 105-run partnership. Mominul contributed 56 as the duo helped Bangladesh consolidate. That stand became only the third time a Bangladesh pair have put up century partnerships in both innings of a Test match.
Mominul also reached the 5,000-run mark in Test cricket, but his stay was cut short when Afridi dismissed him shortly after Shanto completed his half-century.
First-innings context and chase talk
Earlier, Bangladesh’s total of 413 in the first innings was anchored by scores from Shanto (101), Mominul (91), and Mushfiqur (71), along with other key contributions. For Pakistan, Abbas finished with 5/92. Pakistan responded with 386, with Azan producing a century on debut.
With the match poised for a tense finish, Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful said the team is aiming for victory on the final day. “We are playing to win. I think if we can bowl 70-75 overs tomorrow, and if there is no rain, there will be the opportunity to play 98 overs. I think we will have a chance to win,” Ashraful said.
Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha echoed a similar mindset, backing his side to chase down any target that comes up. “Definitely we’ll go for the win,” he said after the day’s play. “If they are brave enough to give us 70 overs and 260, we will definitely go for the chase.”
He added that the focus is on taking wickets quickly. “Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day of Test cricket and we just want to get them out as quickly as we can.”
