Bangladesh tightened their grip on the second Test after Pakistan were dismissed for 232, with a blend of disciplined bowling and productive batting partnerships shifting the momentum firmly towards the home side. In their second innings, Bangladesh reached 110 for 3 by the close of Day 2, holding a 156-run lead as stumps brought an eventful session to a halt.
Day 2: Pakistan’s innings after 232, Bangladesh’s response
- Pakistan resumed their batting on Day 2 at 21 for 0, with the openers adding just one run to their partnership.
- Taskin Ahmed made the first breakthrough in the second over of the day, removing Abdullah Fazal with an outside edge to send him back.
- In his following over, Taskin struck again, getting Azan Awais dismissed when the ball took an inside edge and ballooned up onto the pads before being taken by Mominul.
- Babar Azam and Shan Masood tried to steady the innings, but the captain fell after a 38-run stand, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz catching him at short cover.
- Mehidy also ended Saud Shakeel’s resistance, trapping him lbw after an attempted sweep, leaving Pakistan at 79 for 4.
- Babar and Salman Agha saw out the threat through to Lunch, nudging the visitors to 96 for 4 without further loss.
- Coming out after the break, Babar took charge, smashing two boundaries off Taijul Islam and another off Shoriful Islam, reaching a 63-ball fifty.
- The fifth-wicket pair continued to build, extending their stand beyond 50 before Nahid Rana struck, getting Babar’s partner out with a chipped catch to mid-on.
- Taijul Islam then removed Salman Agha, dismissing him after a top-edged sweep, and pressure mounted as Pakistan slid to 174 for 7.
- Hasan Ali contributed some boundaries, but Taijul claimed his third wicket as well, further denting the innings.
- Khurram Shahzad and Sajid Khan attempted a counter-attack, pushing Pakistan to 206 for 8 by Tea.
- After the break, Nahid Rana struck early to dismiss Shahzad, but Sajid Khan kept the momentum alive with a flurry—hitting a hat-trick of sixes off Taijul and then following it with a four off Nahid.
- Despite the late surge, Sajid was finally caught at third man, allowing Bangladesh to win the chase and secure a 46-run lead.
With the ball, Bangladesh’s collective effort ensured Pakistan’s innings ended decisively, and the batters then made a strong start to their second knock. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Tanzid Hasan Tamim hit a few boundaries to get Bangladesh moving, but Tanzid’s innings did not last long as Shahzad dismissed him with a leading edge to gully.
Mahmudul continued with purpose, repeatedly finding boundaries to push Bangladesh’s advantage beyond 100 within the first 10 overs. Mominul Haque joined him for a brisk 76-run stand, and the opener reached a 58-ball half-century as the lead grew.
The partnership was broken when an attempted heave resulted in a catch, and Mohammad Abbas took the wicket. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul then advanced the score past 150, but the No. 3 batter departed on the final ball of the day—edging a Shahzad delivery behind to finish on 30.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 278 & 110/3 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 52, Mominul Haque 30; Khurram Shahzad 2-19) lead Pakistan 232 (Babar Azam 68; Nahid Rana 3-60, Taijul Islam 3-67) by 156 runs.
