Bangladesh found themselves in dire straits on the third morning of the Rawalpindi Test, collapsing to 26 for 6 in their first innings in response to Pakistan's total of 274.
Pakistan pacers Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza proved too much for the Bangladeshi batters, who struggled to offer any meaningful resistance. The collapse came after a strong start to the Test, with Bangladesh bowling out the hosts for 274 on the second day, thanks to Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul. Bangladesh ended day two at 10 without loss.
However, the third day began disastrously for Bangladesh. They lost their first wicket after adding just four runs, with Zakir Hasan falling to a fuller-length delivery from Khurram Shahzad. Zakir attempted a soft shot to mid-wicket but was easily caught.
Shahzad continued his onslaught, removing Shadman Islam and Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in his next over. Shadman was bowled by a swinging delivery that hit his stumps, while Shanto edged another swinging ball onto his stumps.
With Bangladesh in trouble, they needed either Mominul Haque or Mushfiqur Rahim to stabilize the innings, but both failed to deliver. Within three overs, both were back in the dressing room. Mominul, who scored just one run, was dismissed by a fuller-length delivery from Mir Hamza, giving an easy catch while attempting to flick a ball aimed at the leg stump. Hamza then removed Mushfiqur, who edged a delivery to the wicketkeeper while trying to defend.
Shahzad struck again, removing Shakib Al Hasan for just two runs. By the end of the 13th over, Bangladesh were reeling at 35 for 6, still trailing by 239 runs.
Bangladesh had won the first Test of this two-match series in Rawalpindi and were in a strong position to win the series with a win or at least a draw in this match. However, this batting collapse has put them at serious risk of a different outcome.