Pakistan captain Misbah lauds batting efforts of Tamim, Kayes

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has extolled Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes after the pair displayed a dominating batting performance to help Bangladesh secure a historic draw in Khulna Test.

Bangladesh registered their first ever Test draw against Pakistan as Tamim and Kayes led the hosts with a world record second innings opening stand of 312 runs at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium on Saturday.

Pakistan had posted a massive 628 in their first innings, with the help of a double century from Mohammad Hafeez, to take a robust lead of 296.

Faced with an uphill task, the openers came out all guns blazing and scored 273 runs in 61 overs in nearly two sessions on Friday.

Tamim went on to crack 206, Bangladesh’s second double century after Mushfiqur Rahim’s 200 against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2013, after Kayes fell on 150 - both scoring their career-best innings.

“It was a slow wicket and was good for batting… Tamim and Imrul [Kayes] enjoyed their batting,” said Misbah at the presentation ceremony.

Misbah thinks the fate of the Test was decided on the fourth day when Pakistan bowlers failed to get breakthroughs.

“All credit to Bangladesh. They saved the game, especially with the opening partnership. That opening partnership was the game-changer.”

The 40-year old thinks Tamim is in the form of his life.

“He is in good form. He is in form of his life. He did well in ODI and continues it in the second innings too. He took his chance. He is an aggressive player,” he said at the post-match press conference.

Misbah rued Pakistan fielders dropping a number of catches in Bangladesh’s first innings. But he was hopeful that his side would make amends in the second Test.

The teams will lock horns again in the second match of the two-Test series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.