Coach Jason Gillespie still hopeful to win series-decider Test

Hosts Pakistan are on the backfoot at the end of the fourth day of the second or final Test against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi.  

As Pakistan lost their two-match Test series opener against Bangladesh by 10 wickets, they can only end the series in a 1-1 draw by winning the last Test.

In the ongoing Test at Rawalpindi, after Pakistan scored 274 runs in the first innings, the hosts once moved to the dominating position by taking the visitors’ first six wickets only for 26 runs on the board. However, Litton Das (138) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (78) rescued the visitors’ innings and helped Bangladesh score 262 runs.

Starting their second innings with a 12-run lead, the Pakistan team managed to score only 172 runs. Chasing down the 185-run target, Bangladesh scored 42/0 in seven overs before the cloudy conditions and rain ended the fourth day earlier. 

Bangladesh, who only require a draw to win this Test series, are 143 runs away to complete a clean sweep in the series. 

SEE ALSO: Bangladesh pacers create history with 10 wickets in an innings

We've already lost if we walk out there expecting to lose: Jason Gillespie

After the end of the fourth day of the ongoing Test match, Pakistan’s head coach Jason Gillespie admitted that Bangladesh are the favourites to win the Test match. However, he still put strong hopes on the Pakistan bowlers to turn around on the final day of the series.  

Gillespie said, "Admittedly, the odds are probably in favour of Bangladesh. We don't shy away from that, but we've already lost if we walk out there expecting to lose. We took 6 for 26 in the first innings so we know that we can have an impact with the ball if we bowl really well."

Respecting the performances of Bangladesh cricketers, Gillespie still has strong faith in the inexperienced Pakistan bowling line-up. 

The former Australian pacer added, "We've spoken to our bowlers about being ruthless, being disciplined and bowling with intent. And we just went away from our game plan and I've challenged the bowlers pretty strongly on that. We need to make sure that we're on each and every time, because Test cricket can get away from you. The opposition is very good and I'm not going to shy away from saying Bangladesh played well. No question. But I know that our bowlers can do better in that situation than what they showed and we just need to make sure that execution is absolutely bang on each and every time.”

Gillespie continued, "On reflection, and I spoke to the bowlers about it this morning, we've got to identify those periods where maybe the ball's got a little bit older and maybe the surface settles down. We've just got to really hang in. And not try to search for wickets, because you can fall into that trap. And I think that's probably what we did a little bit."

I hope we get on tomorrow so we can try and win a Test match: Pakistan's head coach

Gillespie knows that the game can create any drama at any time. So, the Pakistan coach is hopeful for a dramatic win on the final day of the Test match. 

Gillespie has no issue with the pitch or condition for this match. However, the Pakistan coach also pointed out Mohammad Ali's absence for the second half of day three of the ongoing Test match. Gillespie feels that Ali's absence hurt the hosts. However, the Pakistan coach also confirmed that Ali is okay.

While Pakistan players are struggling to bring out strong finishing performances, Rawalpindi’s weather is another concern for the hosts. The ongoing Test match has already experienced a complete washout on the opening day and early day finishing. 

Hopeful Gillespie added, "I hope we get on tomorrow so we can try and win a Test match." 

The unfriendly results are also hurting Pakistan in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship points table.