Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi found himself at the center of another ball-tampering controversy during the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka, though umpires ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing. The incident occurred on Day 4 when the left-arm pacer was caught on camera pressing the ball under his spikes during Bangladesh's second innings.
Umpires immediately intervened, taking the ball from Afridi for a careful inspection. After thorough examination, they found no signs of tampering and returned the ball, allowing the fast bowler to complete his over without further incident. It's a moment that's sure to spark debate among cricket fans, especially given Afridi's previous run-ins with similar allegations during the Pakistan Super League.
Beyond the drama, the Test match itself has been a gripping contest. Bangladesh posted a commanding 413 in their first innings before bowling Pakistan out for 386. At stumps on Day 4, the hosts had extended their lead to 179 runs, sitting comfortably at 152/3.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto anchored the innings with an unbeaten 58, while Mushfiqur Rahim remained not out on 16. The pair's partnership came after early jitters saw Bangladesh slip to 23/2, with both openers falling cheaply. Mohammad Abbas trapped Mahmudul Hasan Joy lbw for five, while Hasan Ali had Shadman Islam caught at gully for 10.
The recovery was led by Shanto and Mominul Haque, who added a crucial 105-run stand. Mominul's 56 not only steadied the innings but also saw him cross the 5,000-run milestone in Test cricket—a remarkable achievement. Their partnership was only the third instance of a Bangladesh pair recording century stands in both innings of a Test match.
Mominul's dismissal came at the hands of Afridi, shortly after Shanto had brought up his half-century. With a full day's play remaining, both teams will fancy their chances. Bangladesh will look to set a challenging target, while Pakistan will aim to chase down whatever is set. For cricket fans and gear enthusiasts alike, this Test is shaping up to be a classic battle of bat and ball.