Bangladesh national cricket team wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das produced a sublime counterattacking century to rescue his side after an early collapse on the opening day of the second and final Test against Pakistan national cricket team on Saturday.
Litton smashed 126 runs off just 159 deliveries, laced with 16 boundaries and two sixes, helping Bangladesh recover to 278 all out in their first innings after a disastrous start.
Pakistan then safely negotiated six overs before stumps, reaching 21 without loss and trailing by 257 runs at the close of play.
Apart from Litton, no Bangladesh batter managed to cross the 30-run mark, underlining the pressure created by Pakistan’s disciplined pace attack throughout the day.
BAN vs PAK. 2nd Test: Day 1 Highlights
Khurram Shahzad, brought into the side in place of Shaheen Shah Afridi, starred with the ball for Pakistan, returning figures of 4 for 81. Veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas provided excellent support, picking up 3 for 45.
Hasan Ali, who suffered an injury scare early in the innings after falling awkwardly in his opening over, later returned to the field and finished with figures of 2 for 49, including the prized wicket of Litton Das.
Pakistan made the perfect start after captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to bowl first. Abbas struck with just the second ball of the innings, dismissing Mahmudul Hasan for a duck.
Debutant Tanzid Hasan briefly countered the pressure with a lively 26-run knock. The left-hander played a few eye-catching strokes, including a cover drive off Abbas, before taking on Khurram Shahzad as well.
However, in the eighth over, Tanzid offered a return catch to Hasan Ali. The Pakistan pacer injured himself while completing the catch and had to be stretchered off the field immediately.
Tanzid’s dismissal ended a 44-run partnership with Mominul Haque, who was then bowled by Shahzad for 22 as Bangladesh slipped to 63 for 3.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, coming into the match after scores of 101 and 87 in the first Test, attempted to stabilise the innings alongside veteran Mushfiqur Rahim. But Abbas broke the stand by dismissing Shanto for 29.
Khurram Shahzad then triggered another collapse, removing Mushfiqur Rahim for 23 and Mehidy Hasan in quick succession as Bangladesh slumped to 116 for 6.
At that stage, Litton Das launched a remarkable rescue act.
The wicketkeeper-batter stitched together a valuable 60-run partnership with Taijul Islam for the seventh wicket and gradually shifted the momentum back in Bangladesh’s favour.
Litton brought up his half-century in 93 balls before accelerating brilliantly. He completed his sixth Test hundred off 135 deliveries with a sublime backfoot punch through the covers, drawing applause from the crowd.
His aggressive approach ensured Bangladesh remained competitive despite the repeated setbacks around him.
Pakistan openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal then safely saw through the final overs of the day, finishing unbeaten on 13 and 8 respectively.
Leading Pakistan batter Babar Azam also returned to the squad for the second Test after missing the opening match because of a left knee injury.
– Ends
