Mohammad Abbas and debutant Azan Awais scripted a spirited fightback for Pakistan on Day 2 of the opening Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, even as Bangladesh retained control after a strong first-innings effort. At stumps, Pakistan trailed by 234 runs with nine wickets still in hand.
Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 413, with experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim anchoring the innings with a fluent half-century. He looked composed against Pakistan’s attack and produced the most assured knock in the middle order, scoring 71 off 179 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan, 1st Test Day 2: Highlights | Scorecard
Taskin Ahmed chipped in with a useful lower-order cameo to help Bangladesh cross the 400-run mark. The fast bowler struck a quickfire 28 off just 19 balls, stretching the home side’s advantage further and keeping Pakistan under pressure.
But it was Abbas who stole the show with his disciplined spell and relentless accuracy, claiming his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. The experienced seamer returned outstanding figures of 34-8-92-5, extracting movement and exploiting the conditions expertly. His spell proved central to Pakistan’s resistance as he triggered crucial collapses and prevented Bangladesh from completely taking the game away.
AZAN AWAIS IMPRESSES ON DEBUT
In response, Pakistan made a strong start after Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais put on 106 runs for the opening wicket. Mehidy Hasan Miraz eventually provided Bangladesh the breakthrough by dismissing Imam for 45, ending the dangerous-looking stand.
Pakistan’s biggest spark came through debutant Awais, who announced himself on the international stage with a composed yet aggressive half-century off just 65 balls. The young batter remained unbeaten on 85 from 133 deliveries at stumps, displaying maturity beyond his years while piercing the off side with fluent strokeplay and rotating the strike smartly.
Awais also found solid support from fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal, with the duo putting together a steady 73-run partnership for the second wicket. Fazal too remained unbeaten, making 37 off 78 balls as Pakistan closed the day on 179 for one in 46 overs.
Despite Abbas’s incisive five-wicket haul and the promising contributions from Awais and Fazal, Bangladesh still held the upper hand at the close of play on Day 2. However, Pakistan’s determined response ensured the opening Test remained finely poised heading into the third day.
Brief Scores
Bangladesh: 413 all out in 117.1 overs. Najmul Hossain Shanto (101), Mominul Haque (91), Mushfiqur Rahim (71); Mohammad Abbas (5/92), Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/113)
Pakistan: 179/1 in 46 overs. Azan Awais (85*), Imam-ul-Haq (45), Abdullah Fazal (37*); Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1/37)
Pakistan trail Bangladesh by 234 runs at stumps on Day 2
– Ends
