Pakistan Faces Uphill Battle Now After Rahim's Brilliant 191

Mushfiqur Rahim's breathtaking 191 for Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has now put Pakistan in a position where they have to achieve the massive target set by the visitors. This is not a special knock for just personal brilliance but historical context and the impact it has on this Test series. This truly incredible innings paves way for a mouth-watering final day, where Pakistan would need to reverse an enormous deficit if they are to win.

Mushfiqur Rahim Maiden Test Ton

Mushfiqur Rahim's 191 is as good as it gets for a Bangladeshi. He becomes only the second Bangladeshi batsman to get dismissed in the 190s; the first one was Mohammad Ashraful for his 190 against Sri Lanka in the year 2001. Rahim's case epitomizes class, character and the rising power of Bangladeshi cricket on the world stage. His inning was the answer to Pakistan's strong total of 448 for six declared, which gave Bangladesh a difficult chase in this second Test. Starting at an overnight score of 55 on the fourth day, Rahim played with great resilience and concentration.

He faced 341 balls, scouring 22 boundaries and one six in the process. His innings lasted eight hours and 42 minutes, showing that it had all to do with his technique but also his temperament. It was Rahim's ability to occupy the crease for such a long period and score at a decent rate that proved key in Bangladesh's response to the Pakistan total. ### The Record-Breaking Partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz

One of the spotlight moments of Rahim's innings was more than the remarkable partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz. They sewed together a 196‐run partnership for the seventh wicket, certainly a record best against Pakistan. It went past the previous record of 186 runs between Warren Lees and Sir Richard Hadlee in Karachi back in 1976.

Miraz batted for a long time and he gave excellent support to the cause. He was spilled at 52 and again at 59, but he overcame both lives to put on a substantial 77 from 179 balls, which included six boundaries. His was a patient and determined innings that contrasted well with Rahim's more attacking style. Stand between Rahim and Miraz was very important in taking Bangladesh to a final total of 565 runs, which was their third biggest score outside the sub-continent.

This partnership though did much more than what it contributed to the record book. It proved to the world the depth Bangladesh possesses in batting and can post a competitive total, even when conditions are deemed difficult. The stand also heaped pressure on Pakistan going into their second innings, and things were set up for a fitting climax to the Test match.

Pakistan's Response and Day 4's Play

How was the fourth day about to see, which required the equal chase as, after conceding a 117-run lead to the opponents, the Pakistan team was required to undertake? The start of Pakistan was sought to be good—Abdullah Shafique and then, captain Shan Masood creeping in with caution. Saim Ayub got out quite earlier; his team could only balance 23 for one by the end of the day.

Of course, the fourth day did see a bit of good work done by Pakistan's bowlers: Naseem and Shaheen. However, the conditions set in were not absolutely conducive to bowlers even then. Naseem sent back overnight batsman Litton Das, who had a personal score of just four more from top of his overnight 52. But Pakistan had to wait for another 56 overs for their next wicket breakthrough.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose happiness was doubled after the recent birth of his first child, claimed 2 for 88.

Afridi bowled a superb spell where he got good bounce and movement from the pitch but was denied further success by the fighting Bangladesh batsmen. The most successful of the Pakistani bowlers was Naseem Shah, in the end, who had taken figures of 3 for 93 from 27.3 overs. His pace and the way he was able to generate swing at the time was key to breaking up a partnership that was, with every over, looking as though it was growing in strength between Rahim and Miraz. Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad edged in with two wickets each, while Salman Ali Agha finished wicketless and unlucky with two catches put down off his bowling. ### Key Moments and Statistical Highlights

Mushfiqur Rahim's innings of 191 not out was the second-highest score ever by a Bangladeshi player in Test cricket and underlined comprehensively his competence and resolve. His innings was studded with 22 fours and a six, proving his mettle in being able to come good both at a consistently big and quick rate. Rahim's is likely to go down among the finest innings in recent Test history, especially considering the stage of the match situation and the pressure he was under.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a very important part in building the record partnership for the seventh wicket of 77. While his was not the highest score in the innings by a mile, his contribution at the time only proved central to being a bedrock alongside Rahim, making sure that Bangladesh was not pegged back by whatever South Africa was doing. His innings was characterized by resilience and a will to battle through difficult periods.

Even with an impressive bowling performance by Pakistan, it could not hinder a considerable total by Bangladesh. The drop catches and missing opportunities could hurt them, as soon as the Pakistan team will continue chasing. The result of the match will be decided by performances from and Shah bowlers for Pakistan, especially by Afridi.

Preview

As the sixth day looms over the Test match, Pakistan has its task cut out, to chase down this total for a win. How that changes the balance of the match will clearly depend on how effectively the Pakistan batting lineup counter the challenge thrown at them by the Bangladesh bowlers.

If so, a concerted and gutsy effort is what Pakistan needs from the top order in order to hold their ground under the circumstances and set a challenging chase. Definitely, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Babar Azam should stand to be counted in guiding Pakistan towards the total.

Bangladesh, who had set a high target, now will depend on their bowlers to deliver a similar performance compared to what the batters had shown. It will be left up to Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to tighten the noose on Pakistan and make the most of any mistakes that the Pakistani batsmen commit.

The last day has cast an exciting and most competitive Test in the offing. It shall be interesting to watch as Cricket fans across the globe, the curtain falling on the exhibit. The result of the match will keenly depend upon the contest between Pakistan's batting and Bangladesh's bowling.

Conclusion: The 191-run scintillating innings by Mushfiqur Rahim has kept alive, or rather set up, an exciting final day in Rawalpindi. Pakistan will be hoping to have an answer to secure a victory and avoid an upset, as the excitement and tension in the course of chasing this winning goal set by Bangladesh will be augmented. The final day in the series between two very competitive teams shall be an examination of character and skills, with cricket enthusiasts watching to see who rules in this suspenseful, intriguing Test match.