Bangladesh keeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has pledged to donate his prize money from winning the Player of the Match award against Pakistan in the first Test in Rawalpindi to those affected by floods back home. The veteran cricketer feels the innings of 191 is one of his finest, given it has come in overseas conditions where Bangladesh have struggled.
The 37-year-old started day 4 on 55 and ground down Pakistan's bowlers to lift Bangladesh ahead of the hosts' total of 448. The 196-run stand between Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz eventually propelled the tourists to 565, thereby giving them a 117-run lead.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rahim, who cracked 191 off 341 deliveries, Rahim credited their preparation over the last two months and thanked the coaching staff for the same. The veteran elaborated:
"This is one of my finest (knocks) so far, because we haven't done that well overseas. All the players prepared well in Pakistan and back home as well. Before the Test series, there was a two and a half months gap. All the players and management were there, the other white-ball players were playing in the World Cup. I'm thankful to the coaching staff and management."
"When I meet all these guys, it's a luxury for him (Shanto) and I try to give my best. Doing well for my country inspires me. I want to make an announcement, want to donate my prize money as there's been flood back in Bangladesh."
Pakistan suffer their first ten-wicket loss on home soil:
Pakistan were slightly under pressure ahead of day 5 as they were 23/1 in 10 overs and trailed Bangladesh by 94 more runs. Captain Shan Masood was the first one to go on the final day and Babar Azam soon followed suit for 22 despite getting a reprieve when on 0. With Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman also falling without troubling the scores, the hosts went to lunch six down.
Shaheen Shah Afridi perished almost immediately after lunch, while Naseem Shah could not make that huge an impact either despite carrying the reputation for dishing out some lusty blows. Mohammad Rizwan and Khurram Shahzad resisted, but it didn't last that long as Mehidy Hasan Miraz breached the former's defences for 51. Mehidy Hasan also finished as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 11.5-2-21-4.
Zakir Hasan hit the winning runs for the tourists to send the fans at the venue into delirium.
