Azan Awais debut fifty puts Pakistan in strong position
Pakistan strengthened their position on day two of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, with debutant Azan Awais producing a composed unbeaten innings after Mohammad Abbas’ five-wicket haul helped bowl the hosts out for 413.
By stumps, Pakistan had moved to 179 for 1 in 46 overs, still trailing by 234 runs. Awais remained unbeaten on 85, while fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal closed the day on 37 not out after the pair guided Pakistan through the final session without further damage.
Abbas completes five-for as Bangladesh bowled out for 413
Pakistan resumed day two looking to wrap up Bangladesh’s innings after the hosts ended the opening day in a commanding position.
Mohammad Abbas led the fightback with a disciplined spell that earned him figures of 5 for 92 in 34 overs. Litton Das was the first wicket to fall on the second morning when Abbas dismissed him for 33 off 67 balls, an innings that included five boundaries.
Mushfiqur Rahim continued to anchor Bangladesh’s innings and brought up his 29th Test half-century with a patient knock. However, Pakistan kept chipping away at the lower order.
Abbas removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 10 and Taijul Islam for 17 as Bangladesh slipped to 378 for 7. After lunch, Shaheen Afridi ended Mushfiqur’s resistance for 71 off 179 deliveries, with the right-hander striking eight fours during his stay at the crease.
Abbas then completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Ebadot Hossain for a duck, reducing Bangladesh to 384 for 9.
Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana added valuable lower-order runs to push Bangladesh past the 400-run mark. Taskin struck Abbas for a six as the hosts crossed 400 in the 115th over before Shaheen eventually wrapped up the innings by dismissing him for 28 off 19 balls, an innings featuring three fours and a six.
Shaheen finished with three wickets, while Hasan Ali and Noman Ali claimed one each.
Azan Awais shines on Test debut
Facing a sizeable first-innings total, Pakistan’s openers responded with confidence and positive intent.
Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais found regular boundaries early in the innings and settled quickly against Bangladesh’s attack. At tea, Pakistan had reached 50 without loss in 10 overs, with Imam unbeaten on 28 and Awais on 18.
The final session saw Pakistan accelerate further as the opening pair began to put Bangladesh’s bowlers under pressure. Awais reached his maiden Test fifty during a century opening partnership with Imam, showing composure throughout his debut innings.
The defining phase of the day came during this partnership. Bangladesh had dominated large periods of day one, but Pakistan’s opening pair absorbed that pressure and shifted momentum through controlled strokeplay and disciplined shot selection.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz eventually provided Bangladesh with the breakthrough, dismissing Imam-ul-Haq for 45 off 72 deliveries after the left-hander struck six boundaries. Pakistan were 106 for 1 at that stage.
Abdullah Fazal supports Awais after breakthrough
Another debutant, Abdullah Fazal, then joined Awais at the crease and ensured Pakistan maintained control through the closing stages of the day.
Fazal rotated the strike effectively and punished loose deliveries, helping Pakistan move beyond the 150-run mark without further setbacks. Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to create sustained pressure after Imam’s dismissal, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz remaining their only wicket-taker of the innings.
Awais continued to bat with maturity, moving to an unbeaten 85 by stumps as Pakistan closed the day in a significantly stronger position than they had begun it.
Bangladesh’s strong first day loses momentum
Bangladesh had dominated the opening day through captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque.
After early wickets from Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali reduced Bangladesh to 31 for 2, Mominul and Shanto rebuilt the innings with a major partnership that shifted control back towards the hosts.
Shanto brought up his ninth Test century before Abbas dismissed him for 101 off 130 balls, an innings containing 12 fours and two sixes. Mominul narrowly missed out on a century of his own, falling for 91 off 200 deliveries with ten boundaries.
Mushfiqur Rahim later added stability alongside Litton Das as Bangladesh crossed 300 by the end of the first day.
However, Pakistan’s disciplined bowling effort on the second morning, followed by a composed batting display led by Azan Awais, altered the shape of the match considerably. Pakistan still trail by 234 runs, but with nine wickets in hand and two settled batters at the crease, the visitors have given themselves a strong platform heading into day three.
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Shanto, Mominul put Bangladesh in command on Day 1
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