Tigers put to follow-on after being bundled out for lowest total in Mirpur

Bangladesh were put to follow-on as the hosts were bundled out for just 87 runs in the early hours of the final day of their second Test against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

Having resumed the day on 76 for seven, Bangladesh required 25 more runs to avoid follow-on. But the Tigers were only able to add 11 on the day, succumbing to their lowest-ever total in Mirpur. The previous lowest total at the venue is 110, also by Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in a Test in 2018.

However, Bangladesh's 87-run total is the joint-lowest total in the country. In 2002, West Indies had bundled out Bangladesh for 87 runs at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.   

Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan, who ran through the Tigers' batting order and scalped six wickets yesterday, gave the visitors their first breakthrough on the day when he had tailender Taijul Islam trapped in front in his very first over. 

With the sun out for the first time in three days, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was able to employ pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi from one end as the pacer had started terrorising the Tigers from the word go. The left-arm quick broke through the defenses of Khaled Ahmed, who had no answer to his searing yorker in the day's third over. 

However, despite losing two wickets very early on the day, the urgency from the Bangladeshi batters continued. Shakib looked to score runs quickly, probably trying to get to the 101-run mark that would see them avoid follow-on. 

However, his efforts soon came to an end as he gifted his wicket, much like the other Bangladesh batters. He charged down to hit Sajid and only ended up giving an easy catch to the fielder at short-midwicket as Bangladesh's first-innings came to an end in just 32 overs. 

Sajid, who picked up two wickets today, ended with his career-best figures of eight for 42 in 15 overs that included four maidens.