Mominul dismissal raised spirit of Pakistan team, says Azhar Ali

Pakistan’s Azhar Ali has said his side is very relieved to see Bangladesh batsman Mominul Haque back in pavilion at the end of the opening day of the first Test in Khulna.

The hosts finished Day One on 236 for four at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium on Tuesday.

Mominul scored a solid 80 before getting out, lbw off spinner Zulfiqar Babar, in the last delivery of the day.

“Naturally after picking up his (Mominul) wicket in the last over we are happy because it raised the spirit of the team,” said Azhar Ali at a post-match press conference.

Azhar believes the dismissal will inspire his team to go after Bangladesh batting early on the second day.

Mominul arrived at the crease after opener Tamim Iqbal’s departure.

He equalled the feat of Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar, scoring his 10th successive score of over fifty in Tests with a dazzling display of classy strokeplay.

Bangladesh batsmen were impressive in switching their temperament to Test mode after playing limited-over cricket for a long time.

They cornered Pakistan bowlers with their calm approach.

Azhar, however, thinks Mominul’s dismissal has evened the odds.

“The wicket was good but we were finding difficult to get break through. So in that sense we are not in a bad position. I think we are evenly poised after day one.”

Pakistan were lacklustre in their catching department as they dropped five catches in the day.

“I think if we could hold on to those catches, things would have been different but still we feel we held on to our plans.”