We have a chance if we bowl well: Shanto

The only word that can describe Bangladesh's recent Test experiences is - horrid. They were battered and bruised by Afghanistan at home before they were humiliated by India as the Tigers succumbed to innings defeats in the two matches at the neighbouring nation. 

And when the Test series against Pakistan began at Rawalpindi, the Tigers must have hoped for a change in fortune. And even though their batting stint was a tad better than it was in India, they bundled out for only 233. 

Only positive Bangladesh can take from their day one outing is Mohammad Mithun's innings of 63 which helped the Tigers survive till the end of the day. Mithun was under a lot of scrutinies before the Test began but managed to reply with a vital knock. 

Bangladesh's opening woes continued in their first innings as the opening pair only produced three runs and was broken in the very first over. Saif Hassan had a dreadful debut as he was gone for a duck and his opening stand with Tamim Iqbal marked Bangladesh's 8th successive opening stand that did not reach fifty. 

Tamim Iqbal did not have a good bout with the bat either. The batsman was coming off a splendid triple century in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL). But on the day, he only managed to score three and his wicket left Bangladesh stranded. 

Bangladesh had some glimmer of hope when skipper Mominul Haque and Nazmul Hossain Shanto neglected the new ball quite well and looked well set. But those hopes soon bit the dust when Mominul was caught behind chasing a loose delivery outside off. 

Shanto looked resilient as Bangladesh went into lunch three down. But that too came for nothing as the youngster was also caught fishing outside off and had to back scoring 44. Experienced campaigner Mahmudullah Riyad also soon followed in a similar fashion, the difference was he was caught brilliantly at third slip by Asad Shafiq. 

Liton Das and Mithun put up a sound stand to show Bangladesh some hopes again, but that too was short-lived. Liton, who looked comfortable and was timing the ball well, attempted to sweep and was trapped LBW by Haris Sohail on 30. 

Taijul also provided some support to Mithun as the right-handed batsman brought up his fifty. But it was all just a small resilience as Bangladesh lost wickets in a flurry to be bowled out for 233. 

Shanto, who had scored 44, though believed that Bangladesh were not out of the game yet and if their bowlers could do what the Pakistani bowlers did, a game might be on the cards. 

"I believe if we bowl in the right areas, it will be good for us. If we do the same things that Pakistani bowlers did, if we can take early wickets, then we will have a chance," Shanto said in the press conference after the day's play was called off. 

Shanto further added that if the batsmen could have been a bit more patient, Bangladesh would have had a bigger total on board. He also added that the Pakistani bowlers bowled a very tight line. 

"The Pakistani bowlers bowled in very good areas throughout the day. Runs were tough to come by. The wicket was good but they kept their patience and bowled in tight areas. And that forced mistakes from us. If we had managed to keep our patience, it would have been a lot easier to score runs in the latter parts of the day," Shanto added. 

He further added, "Our total could have been a bit better. We came back well after losing two early wickets, I and Mominul put up a good stand. We should have made it big from there on but could not. If we had converted our partnerships, then the total would have been bigger than it is."

Shanto also went on to add that now they are focusing on the rest of the match and if they can do well in the next day and in their second innings, the outcome of the Test might be positive for them. 

Bangladesh will hope that Shanto's words come true. Because if not, Bangladesh will concede another defeat away from home. And a defeat is not something that Bangladesh is looking for, especially with this Test being a part of the World Test Championship.