'I don't think the declaration was made hastily': Saud Shakeel reveals why Shan Masood didn't let Mohammad Rizwan score his maiden Test double century

Pakistan team's vice-captain Saud Shakeel justified captain Shan Masood's decision to the declare the innings on Day 2 when Mohammad Rizwan was nearing his maiden Test double century. Shakeel said that Rizwan knew about the declaration beforehand and there was clear communication from the dressing room.
 

"I don't think the declaration was made hastily as Rizwan bhai was informed well in advance, in fact in prior. 1-1:30 hours earlier he had an idea about it that we will declare at this time and try we reach around 450," Shakeel said in the press-conference after the end of Day 2’s play. 
 

Records Rizwan missed

Rizwan was batting on 171 from 239 balls and Pakistan's score was 448/6 when Masood declared the innings. He had a chance to become Pakistan’s third wicketkeeper-batter to score a Test double century, a feat achieved by Taslim Arif and Imtiaz Ahmed. Rizwan also had a chance to break the record for highest Test score by a wicketkeeper-batter against Bangladesh which is held by former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (185).

Early collapse and big partnership

Earlier, on Day 1, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to field first. Pakistan got off to a horrible start losing three wickets for just 16 runs. Babar Azam was dismissed for a two-ball duck whereas Masood's dismissal caused controversy.

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Saim Ayub and Shakeel's partnership of 98 helped Pakistan recover. Rizwan walked in to bat when Pakistan were 114/4. He showed aggressive intent. The only reprieve he got was when he was batting on 89 and wicketkeeper Litton Das could not hang on to the catch down the leg side. He reached his third Test ton from 143 balls. The two batters shared a 240-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Shakeel scored 141 runs from 261 balls. The partnership was broken by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
 

In the last session, Rizwan reached his 150 from 214 balls. After Agha Salman's wicket, Shaheen Afridi walked in to bat. Afridi scored a quickfire 24-ball 29. After the 113th over, Masood declared the innings.
 

Bangladesh openers resist pacers

Masood did not get the desired result after the declaration as openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan survived the new ball spell. Bangladesh were 27 for no loss from 12 overs at the end of Day 2's play.
 

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