Mehidy Hasan Miraz Calls Mirpur Test a 50-50 Battle After Bowling Masterclass

A Tactical Stand-off at Mirpur

The Mirpur Test has reached a critical juncture, with Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz describing the current situation as a 50-50 battle. As the third day drew to a close, the hosts found themselves 34 runs ahead, having successfully navigated a short stint at the crease without losing a wicket. Despite the momentum shift in favor of the Bangladesh bowling attack, the game remains on a knife-edge as both teams look toward the final two days of play.

The Challenge of the Pitch

Mehidy, who was instrumental in bringing Bangladesh back into the contest with a stellar 5-wicket haul, emphasized the unpredictable nature of the Mirpur surface. Addressing the media, he noted that although the team has managed to wipe out the deficit, they have yet to establish a dominant lead. ‘We still have two days remaining in the Test, but the situation is 50-50 at the moment since we didn’t take a big enough lead,’ Mehidy stated. He underscored that with the pitch expected to become increasingly difficult for batting, the hosts need to aim for a substantial lead, ideally nearing 300 runs, to put Pakistan under real pressure.

The Bowling Fightback

The third day began with Pakistan in a position of strength at 179 for 1. However, the game turned sharply when Bangladesh claimed four wickets for just 20 runs. Taskin Ahmed, returning to the Test arena, was a catalyst alongside Mehidy. Taskin dismissed the set batter Azan Awais and captain Shan Masood, while Mehidy took care of Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Fazal. Despite a costly no-ball from Taskin that allowed Salman Agha—who was on zero—to eventually score 58, the Bangladesh bowling unit managed to bowl out Pakistan for 389, conceding a lead of only 27.

Reflecting on the near-miss regarding the no-ball, Mehidy remained philosophical. ‘Partnerships can happen in cricket. We certainly had the opportunity by putting them under pressure during that time. Unfortunately, there was a no-ball. If it wasn’t a no-ball, it would have been a different scenario.’ He credited the collective effort of the bowling unit, noting that the discipline shown by the bowlers was key to keeping the game competitive.

Praise for Taskin and Personal Form

Taskin Ahmed received special praise from Mehidy for his contribution in his first Test since the 2024 tour of the West Indies. ‘Taskin bowled well today. He made life easier for me at the other end. He was not giving away too many runs, so we had a strong bowling partnership,’ Mehidy explained. The synergy between the two was essential in preventing Pakistan from building a massive score.

For Mehidy, the five-wicket haul was a significant milestone, marking his return to form after a quiet period of over a year. He admitted that recent white-ball outings had left him lacking confidence, but a dedicated period of practice and the inherent patience of Test cricket allowed him to regain his rhythm. ‘I think I am an effective bowler even when I am not taking regular wickets. Test cricket gives you a lot more opportunities, as you get a lot of time to maintain yourself as a bowler,’ he added.

Looking Ahead

As the match heads into the fourth day, the onus is now entirely on the Bangladeshi batters. The middle and lower order will be tested by a surface that is anticipated to offer more assistance to the bowlers as the Test reaches its conclusion. With the game finely balanced, every run scored will be vital. The hosts are well aware that a disciplined, responsible performance is the only path to securing a favorable result in front of their home crowd.