Pakistan, May 17 — In response to Bangladesh’s first-innings score of 278, Pakistan began cautiously, reaching 21 without losing a wicket at the end of the first day of the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Pakistan batted for six overs after dismissing the home team for 278 in 77 overs, with their promising openers guiding them to 21/0 before the on-field umpires decided to end the day.
Azan and Fazal, who remain not out on 13 and 9 respectively, will continue Pakistan’s first innings on day two, with their team still trailing Bangladesh by an additional 257 runs. After being asked to bat first, the home team scored 278 all out, even though they were down at 116/6 shortly after lunch, thanks to Das, who played carefully with the lower order to contribute vital runs. The right-handed batsman was the highest scorer for Bangladesh, scoring an impressive 126 off 159 balls, which included 16 fours and two sixes.
He received strong support from the lower-order batsmen Taijul Islam (16) and Shoriful Islam (12 not out), with whom he formed partnerships exceeding 60 runs each. Khurram Shahzad was the most impressive bowler for Pakistan, claiming four wickets for 81 runs in his 17 overs, followed by Mohammad Abbas who took three. Hasan Ali took two wickets, while spinner Sajid Khan added one. At tea, the home team was in a decent position at 168/6, with Das and all-rounder Islam remaining not out on 42 and 11 respectively.
Bangladesh faced a tough beginning in the second session as their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (29), experienced Mushfiqur Rahim (23), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (four) were all out within 36 deliveries, causing them to drop to 116/6. After the middle-order breakdown, Islam partnered with Das, and together they batted carefully to form an unbroken 52-run stand for the seventh wicket, keeping Bangladesh in the game. At lunch on the first day, the home team was at 101/3 after 26 overs, with captain Najmul and Rahim not out on 26 and 18 respectively.
The hosts began their innings poorly when experienced fast bowler Abbas had right-handed opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy caught at second slip on the second ball of the match. After the early setback, Mominul Haque came to bat alongside opener Tanzid Hasan. The pair played carefully, scoring 44 runs for the second wicket before the latter was dismissed by Abbas in the 10th over, having scored 26 off 34 deliveries.
Haque later joined in a short 19-run collaboration for the third wicket with captain Shanto before being dismissed by Khurram Shahzad on the last ball of the 16th over. The left-handed batter at the top of the order scored 22 runs from 41 deliveries.
With the score at 63/3, seasoned Rahim partnered with Shanto, and together they played cautiously to keep Bangladesh ahead without any more losses, as they formed an unbeaten 38-run stand for the fourth wicket. SYLHET: On the first day, experienced wicketkeeper batter Litton Das scored a remarkable century, helping Bangladesh reach a strong total against Pakistan in the second Test, being held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Electing to bat first, the home team ended up at 278 all out, despite being at 116/6 after lunch, thanks to Das, who batted carefully with the lower order to add vital runs. The right-handed player was the top scorer for Bangladesh with an impressive 126 off 159 balls, including 16 fours and two sixes. He received solid support from the tail-enders Taijul Islam (16) and Shoriful Islam (12 not out), with whom he shared partnerships of over 60 runs each.
Previously, after being asked to bat first by Pakistan captain Shan Masood, Bangladesh began their innings poorly when Mohammad Abbas dismissed their right-handed opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy on the second ball of the match. After this early setback, Mominul Haque and debutant Tanzid Hasan formed a stable 44-run partnership until Abbas took another wicket in the 10th over, removing the opener who scored just 26.
Haque joined the effort 35 deliveries later when he was dismissed by Khurram Shahzad, after which captain Shanto and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim began a comeback. The seasoned duo scored 43 runs for the fourth wicket, but Abbas ended their growing partnership by removing the captain for a short time after the break. Bangladesh then lost two more wickets—Rahim (23) and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz (four)—within 36 deliveries, leaving them at 116/6.
Khurram Shahzad was the top performer for Pakistan, claiming four wickets at a cost of 81 runs in his 17 overs, with Mohammad Abbas next having three. Hasan Ali took two wickets, and spinner Sajid Khan added one.
