Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to find their rhythm on the second day of the first Test at Mirpur as Pakistan mounted a strong comeback, powered by debutant Azan Awais’ stubborn 85 not out. Awais, who had been Pakistan’s leading domestic run-getter across the previous two seasons, made a striking entry at Test level by building a century stand with Imam-ul-Haq. He then added another 73 with fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal as Pakistan ended the day on 179 for 1 at Stumps, still 234 runs behind Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413.
Abbas sets the tone after Bangladesh resume
Mohammad Abbas played the key role in Pakistan’s morning push, shaping the contest with smart, probing pace that looked far more forceful than his usual speed suggested. Bangladesh began the day with intent, and Litton Das immediately struck three boundaries off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s opening over. However, Abbas tightened the screws quickly and turned pressure into breakthroughs, using a bouncer that—despite not being his most threatening delivery—proved decisive. The ball surprised Litton into a mistimed pull, which carried to substitute fielder Amad Butt at mid-on for 33.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz departed soon after, caught by Abbas’ fuller line just a delivery after being struck for a six. He went for an expansive off-side drive but found Imam-ul-Haq waiting in the slip region. Taijul Islam suffered a similar setback, beaten by another rising bouncer that he couldn’t keep down.
Mushfiqur Rahim offered resistance at the other end, but Abbas’ pressure eventually drew a response from the Bangladesh captain. Shaheen struck after lunch to remove Mushfiqur for 71, an angled delivery that did enough to beat the bat.
With the tail under control, Abbas finished the day’s work by wrapping up wickets to take his sixth Test five-wicket haul, a reward for the inventiveness and discipline he brought throughout the morning. Taskin Ahmed then provided a brisk boost with 28 off 19 balls, helping Bangladesh nudge the score beyond 400.
Still, Bangladesh’s final total of 413—after being well positioned at 338 for 4—felt like a slightly underwhelming finish given they lost their last six wickets for 75. Pakistan began their chase with a sense of urgency, and the final stretch before Tea became the stage for Awais’ first major Test scare.
Awais survives a helmet-hit start and grows into the role
Pakistan had an hour to go before Tea when Awais faced Nahid Rana. The very first ball Nahid bowled was a vicious short delivery that reared up and struck Awais’ helmet badge, leaving him dazed on the field. A concussion assessment followed, but Awais passed the test and returned to the crease without losing his composure.
That early blow seemed to sharpen his focus. Imam-ul-Haq looked unsettled at times, but Awais became increasingly fluent, striking through the covers and rotating the strike with confidence, showing a maturity that stood out even against experienced hands. In the final session, when Nahid sent down another short ball, Awais struck successive boundaries on either side before flicking a full delivery to fine leg to bring up three runs in a row.
Imam falls, Fazal holds firm as debutants extend Pakistan’s hopes
Imam’s innings ended on 45 when he was trapped in front by Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s arm ball after a 106-run opening stand. The wicket briefly threatened to swing momentum back toward Bangladesh, but another debutant, Abdullah Fazal, steadied the chase in only his second day of Test cricket. A late reprieve also helped—Taskin Ahmed failed to take a slip chance on 28—allowing Fazal to see out the day on 37 not out.
Together, the two debutants added 73 to carry Pakistan’s hopes forward significantly into the next day’s play.
Brief scores: Pakistan 179/1 (Azan Awais 85*, Imam-ul-Haq 45; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1-37) trail Bangladesh 413 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 101, Mominul Haque 91; Mohammad Abbas 5-92) by 234 runs
