The SBNCS, Mirpur is hosting the second match of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test Series 2021. The second and third days of play were canceled due to persistent rain. Thankfully, the weather on day four improved, and play resumed in the first session. Bangladesh will open its account in the ongoing Test Championship if the match ends in a draw. Let's have a look at the second Test match scenario and the latest ICC Test Championship points standings for the 2021-2023 cycle.
Match scenario: BAN vs PAK 2nd Test 2021
In the second session of day 4, Pakistan batted first and declared their first innings on 300/4. Babar Azam, Pakistan's captain, scored the highest 76 runs and had the best 123-run partnership with Azhar Ali in the third wicket. Azhar Ali batted patiently for 56 runs, while Fawad Alam (50*) and Mohammad Rizwan (53*) contributed with the bat as well. Bangladesh's left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took the most wickets with two.
Bangladesh lost three quick wickets before the end of the second session and were 22/3 at tea. Bangladesh lost four more wickets in the third session, finishing day four with a score of 76/7. Bangladesh must score 101 runs to avoid a follow-on. If Bangladesh avoid a follow-on, Pakistan will have to bat again. Even though there is a strong chance that this match will finish in a stalemate, there could be some nervous moments on the final day.
Current ICC Test Championship standings (2021-2023 cycle)
With the exception of Australia and South Africa, all Test-playing nations have begun their journey in the ICC Test Championship's second edition. Sri Lanka (24 points) currently lead the points table with a 100% winning record, followed by Pakistan (24 points) and India (42 points). Even if Pakistan win the ongoing second match against Bangladesh, they will not climb up to first place in the point standings. On the other hand, Bangladesh would get four points if the second match of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test Series 2021 ended in a draw.
England (14 points) are in fourth place, followed by the West Indies (12) and New Zealand (4). Australia's Test Championship campaign will begin on December 8 with the Ashes series. On the other hand, South Africa will begin their first series in the second edition of the Test Championship against India at the end of this year.
Bangladesh's remaining Test Championship fixtures
Bangladesh's Test Championship campaign has started with a series against Pakistan, and they will play five more Test series in 2022. Bangladesh will play New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and India in a bilateral series.
Here are Bangladesh's remaining Test Championship fixtures
Bangladesh tour of New Zealand 2022
1st Test (1-5 January): NZ vs BAN
2nd Test (9-13 January): NZ vs BAN
Bangladesh tour of South Africa 2022
1st Test (30 March – 3 April): SA vs BAN
2nd Test (7-11 April): SA vs BAN
Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh 2022
1st Test (May): BAN vs SL
2nd Test (May): BAN vs SL
Bangladesh tour of West Indies 2022
1st Test (June): WI vs BAN
2nd Test (June): WI vs BAN
India tour of Bangladesh 2022
1st Test (Nov): BAN vs IND
2nd Test (Nov): BAN vs IND
Way Forward
The second Test match of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test Series 2021 is most likely to end in a draw due to inclement weather conditions. Bangladesh only received 20 points after drawing a Test match in the inaugural ICC Test Championship. They were the bottom team in the first edition of the Test Championship. Therefore, Bangladesh's main goal for the 2021-2023 cycle Test Championship would be to improve further in the point standings.