Shadman Islam continues the nervous 90s trend in Pakistan

Shadman Islam was cruising on his way to a hard-fought century after batting for 182 deliveries under the hot Rawalpindi sun in the first Test. However, a seaming-in delivery from Mohammad Ali barged into the gap between his bat and pad and disturbed his woodwork. This was the ninth time a batter has gotten out in the 90s since 2022 in Tests in Pakistan. 

The fact that this incident hasn’t happened in any other country more than six times tells you how cursed Pakistan has been for batters in the nervous 90s. Usman Khawaja’s case, however, is even more heartbreaking than Shadman's, as he got out twice in the 90s (97 and 91) when Australia toured Pakistan in 2022. Three Pakistan batters, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and Imam-ul-Haq, have also met this unfortunate fate. 

Meanwhile, Shadman is only the second Bangladeshi opener in Tests to get out in the 90s after Tamim Iqbal, who had gotten out after reaching the doors of a Test century thrice. 

Earlier, Shadman began Day 3 for Bangladesh on a solid note. He was astute in defence, and although the runs hardly came in the first session for Bangladesh, he kept dead-batting everything the Pakistani pacers threw at him. His opening partner, Zakir Hasan, got out after nicking a delivery from Naseem Shah, who took one away from the leftie. Soon, skipper Najmul Hasan Shanto was also back in the pavilion after being cleaned up by Khurram Shahzad. 

However, Shadman continued batting his way and respected the length deliveries that Pakistani bowlers kept on bowling. Out of his 12 boundaries, only one came from a good-length delivery. He capitalised on the full and half-volley deliveries and scored nine boundaries through that region. 

In fact, by all metrics, it was a very measured innings by the Bangladeshi opener, who now has the second-highest score for a Bangladeshi opener in a Test in Pakistan. He opened up in the 94-run partnership with Mominul Haque, who also got himself a fifty. 

Meanwhile, the Pakistani bowlers have so far toiled away without much reward on a surface that hasn’t offered them much help. All four pacers have not given more than three runs/over at any stage of the innings, and runs have been hard to come by for Bangladesh despite the batting-friendly surface. 

Saim Ayub, though, threw a new splash of energy in the game after dismissing Shakib Al Hasan to scalp his first Test wicket as Bangladesh lost their fifth wicket on 218, 230 runs behind Pakistan’s first innings total of 448/6. 

If you’ve not downloaded Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out — big time. Play Fantasy on Cricket.com NOW! Download the App here.