Pakistan vs Bangladesh 2nd Test: Match Preview and Predictions

Following a massive “bottle” job from the hosts in the first Test, with Bangladesh managing to bat back and steal a win despite Pakistan scoring 448 in the first innings, the action moves to the second Test with the hosts looking to avenge their shocking loss.

Ahead of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh, here’s our match preview and predictions.

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Pakistan vs Bangladesh 2nd Test | Bangladesh tour of Pakistan 2024 | 10:30 IST, 30 August 2024

Pakistan started the last Test by being reduced to 16/3 early on, but with Saim Ayub’s half century and Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan’s twin centuries, they amassed an incredible 448/6, declaring on the second day. The Pak bowlers, though, let their side down by letting Bangladesh bat them out of the match as they went on to make an incredible 565 in their first innings.

All roads seemed to be pointing to a draw, with just a day’s play left and both teams having to bat once again. Then, one of the modern day greats and probably the finest all-rounder to have touched the game, Shakib Al Hasan, turned the game on its head on the fourth day itself, and with Mehidy Hasan Miraz ably supporting him, Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed in the second innings as they were quickly bundled out for 146, leaving Bangladesh with only 30 to get.

Bangladesh, who lodged their first-ever Test win in Pakistan, had their veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim bat them out of a sticky situation in the first innings, narrowly missing out on a double century. Miraz’ performance with both bat and ball was another highlight for the visitors. Bangladesh will be expecting more of the same for the second Test. 

For the hosts, while they were strong with the bat on the opening two days, once the surface slowed down and started turning, they were undone by the Bangladeshi twin spin attack. The Rawalpindi pitch shouldn’t change drastically as the days progress, though expect it to also help the batters initially before slowing down for the last two days. Chasing would be tough here, and batting fourth is something both teams will want to avoid. 

Expect another run fest and count on Pakistan to bounce back to tie up the series. 

Fantasy XI: Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Saud Shakeel, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Rizwan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nassem Shah

Venue: Rawalpindi, Punjab
Winner Prediction: Pakistan