Although Litton Das’ played a knock for ages for Bangladesh, one name was giving his all for Pakistan in the ongoing second Test in Rawalpindi. Khurram Shahzad, who bowled his heart out on Day 2 brough six-wicket haul in the first innings. This marked the best home figures by a Pakistani pace bowler in over two decades.
The ‘Khurram Shahzad’ show
After a rain-affected first day, Bangladesh found themselves on the back foot on day two, struggling to build a substantial partnership against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, and Salman Agha all contributed half-centuries, but Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s five-wicket haul kept the visitors in the game.
Day three saw Khurram Shahzad take center stage. The pacer’s incisive bowling quickly dismantled Bangladesh’s top order, dismissing Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, and Najmul Hossain Shanto in a devastating spell of five deliveries. He continued his dominance, trapping Shakib Al Hasan lbw and later dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taskin Ahmed to finish with figures of 6-90.
Since Shoaib Akhtar’s 6-50 against Bangladesh in Peshawar in 2003, no Pakistani pacer had managed to match his feat at home. The absence of international cricket in Pakistan from 2009 to 2019 due to security concerns further hampered the list.
| Spell | Player | vs. (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| 6/11 | Shoaib Akhtar | NZ (2002) |
| 6/50 | Shoaib Akhtar | BAN (2003) |
| 6/90 | Khurram Shahzad | BAN (2024*) |
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