Mirpur: Pakistan opener Azan Awais scored a half-century on debut to send the visitors into a strong position on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
At the end of play on the second day, Pakistan were 234 runs behind at 179-1 in 46 overs, with Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal unbeaten on 85 and 37 respectively.
Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Awais started their innings positively, finding the boundary early and laying a composed foundation to ease the pressure after Bangladesh’s total.
At the end of the second session, Pakistan were 50 for no loss in 10 overs at tea, Imam unbeaten on 28 off 41 balls, Awais unbeaten on 18 and the visitors still trailing by 363 runs.
Both put pressure on Bangladesh’s bowling attack, with runs coming in quick succession in the final session of the game, with Azan Awais raising his bat for his first Test half-century to bring up the 100-run opening stand with Imam’s partnership.
Nevertheless, Mehdi Hasan Miraz dismissed Imam-ul-Haq, who had failed to reach his half-century, and was dismissed for 45 off 72 balls with 6 fours as Pakistan were 106-1 in 22 overs at that stage of the game.
Another debutant, Abdullah Fazal, came in and batted sensibly, rotating the strike cycle and finding boundaries regularly, while building a steady partnership with Awais to stabilize Pakistan’s innings and the team’s 150-run mark.
Mehdi Hasan Miraz was the only Bangladeshi bowler to pick up wickets, while others failed to make an impact or do significant damage.
Earlier, Mohammad Abbas took five wickets and was bowled out for 413 in the 118th over early in the second session as Pakistan continued to play decent seam bowling.
Liton Das was the first wicket on the second day and Abbas was dismissed for 33 off 67 balls with 5 fours. Mushfiqur Rahim held firm and reached his 29th Test half-century, setting the tone for early developments in the second morning session.
Mehdi Hasan Mirza was bowled out for 10 runs off 12 balls with a four and a six, while Taijul Islam scored 17 runs off 23 balls with 2 fours as Bangladesh were 378-7 in 106.5 overs.
After lunch, Shaheen Afridi hit Mushfiqur Rahim’s stumps with 71 off 179 balls with 8 boundaries.
Abbas completed his five-wicket haul by ducking out Epadod Hossain to reduce Bangladesh to 384-9 in 110.5 overs.
Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana added useful runs, with Taskin Abbas hitting a six off the ball to take Bangladesh past 400 in the 115th over, putting pressure on the lower order.
Shaheen Afridi eventually finished off Taskin Ahmed’s 29 off 19 balls with 28 runs with 3 fours and a six.
Mohammad Abbas finished with 5/92 from 34 overs, with Shaheen claiming three wickets. Hasan Ali and Noman Ali got one each, with disciplined bowling restricting scoring opportunities throughout the innings.
On the first day, Bangladesh were dominated by captain Najmul Hossain Sandhu and Mominul Haq, defrauding Pakistan’s attack in three sessions. Mahmudul Hasan dismissed Joy after Shaheen Afridi scored 8 runs off 19 balls with 2 boundaries.
Hasan Ali then dismissed Shadman Islam for 13 off 30 balls to leave Bangladesh at 31-2 in 10.1 overs before Mominul and Najmul Hossain combined to revive the innings strongly.
Shando reached his sixth Test half-century, while Mominul reached his 26th half-century, passing 100 at the stand to push Bangladesh past 200. He scored his ninth Test century before Abbas scored 101 off 130 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes.
At the tea break, Bangladesh were 201-3 in 52.2 overs. Mushfiqur Rahim then joined Mominul to take Bangladesh past 250.
Noman Ali scored 91 off 200 balls with 10 boundaries to dismiss Mominul. Rahim remained unbeaten with Liton Das as Bangladesh passed 300 in the 84th over, ending the first day and providing a solid platform for the competitive situation going forward in a Test environment.