Abbas 5-for, Awais fifty turn the tide in Mirpur

Debutant Azan Awais struck a brilliant unbeaten half-century after pacer Mohammad Abbas claimed a five-wicket haul as Pakistan bounced back strongly against Bangladesh in the opening Test of the two-match series, reaching 179 for one at stumps on day two at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

Awais remained unbeaten on 85 off 133 balls, hitting 12 boundaries, while receiving solid support from Imam-ul-Haq (45) and fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal, who was unbeaten on 37. The trio frustrated the Bangladesh bowlers as Pakistan ended the day strongly, trailing Bangladesh by 234 runs in the first innings.

Replying to a first-innings total of 413, the visitors got off to an excellent start with their openers putting together a 103-run partnership before Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped Imam leg-before to provide Bangladesh with a much-needed breakthrough.

However, that was the only success for the hosts as debutants Awais and Fazal added an unbeaten 76-run stand to cap a dominant day for Pakistan.

Taskin Ahmed had a chance to dismiss Fazal late in the day, but Shadman Islam dropped him at gully when he was on 28, compounding the home side’s frustration.

Earlier, resuming on their overnight score of 301 for four, Bangladesh could add only 102 runs before being bowled out for 413.

Abbas was the chief architect of the home side’s collapse, finishing with 5-92 -- his sixth five-wicket haul in Tests. He claimed four wickets on day two, dismissing Litton Das (33), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10), Taijul Islam (17) and Ebadot Hossain (0).

Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up the remaining two wickets, removing Mushfiqur Rahim for 71 and Taskin for 28, to finish with figures of 3-113 in the first innings.

Pakistan steady in reply to Bangladesh’s 413 as openers hold firm

Pakistan produced a composed reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413, reaching 50 without loss at tea on the second day of the opening Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais looked assured at the crease, with Imam unbeaten on 28 and Awais on 18, as Pakistan laid a steady foundation in their chase.

The second session, however, belonged firmly to the visitors’ bowling attack. Right after the lunch break, Shaheen Shah Afridi struck a crucial blow, removing Mushfiqur Rahim for 71 on his birthday. A sharply angled delivery crashed into the stumps, ending a well-compiled innings that had anchored Bangladesh through the middle phase.

Naseem Abbas then completed a richly deserved five-wicket haul, capping off an impressive spell by dismissing Ebadot Hossain. His disciplined bowling was particularly effective in the draining Mirpur heat, as Pakistan tightened their grip on the innings.

Despite the collapse, Bangladesh managed to push past the 400-mark, thanks in part to a spirited late contribution from Taskin Ahmed. His aggressive stroke play lifted the tempo and brought some energy back into the home crowd.

Pakistan’s reply began with caution but not without moments of fortune. Imam-ul-Haq survived a let-off on 23 when Mahmudul Hasan Joy put down a difficult chance in the slips, allowing the opener to settle in.

At the other end, Azan Awais showed resilience early in his innings after being struck on the helmet by a 140 kph bouncer from Nahid Rana off the very first ball he faced from the pacer. After the brief interruption, he regained composure and batted confidently alongside his partner.

Bangladesh all out for 413 after Afridi ends Mushfiqur resistance

Bangladesh veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim could not mark his 39th birthday with a memorable century as he fell for 71 shortly after the lunch break on the second day of the opening Test against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

Resuming the day on 301 for four, Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 413 in 117.1 overs, thanks to Taskin Ahmed’s late cameo of 28 off 19 balls, featuring three fours and a six.

The experienced right-hander looked set for his 14th Test hundred after going into lunch unbeaten on 71. However, with the tail exposed, concerns remained over whether he would receive enough support to reach the milestone.

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi ended Mushfiqur’s resistance in the very first over after the interval.

Shaheen delivered a full-length ball that angled in sharply and beat Mushfiqur’s defence as the batter attempted to drive down the ground. The delivery breached the gap between bat and pad before crashing into the stumps, giving Pakistan a vital breakthrough at a crucial stage of the innings.

Mushfiqur scored 71 off 179 deliveries, striking eight fours during his patient knock.

Pacer Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers, striking at regular intervals to prevent Bangladesh from posting a truly mammoth total and leading the attack superbly. He claimed three wickets in the morning session and finished with five wickets for 92 runs in 34 overs.

Mushy edges closer to 14th Test ton as Tigers lose seven by Lunch

Bangladesh’s experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim will be hoping to celebrate his 39th birthday with his 14th Test century, but he may need support from the tailenders to get there on Day 2 of the first of two Tests against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.

Resuming the day on 301 for four, Bangladesh reached 380 for seven in 109 overs at Lunch, with Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas claiming all three wickets to fall in the first session.

Although Pakistan were unable to dominate any phase of play, Abbas removed Litton Das (33 off 67), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10 off 12), and Taijul Islam (17 off 23) to prevent Bangladesh from building any substantial partnerships.

Mushfiqur looked solid at the crease, anchoring a 62-run fifth-wicket stand with Litton before the latter was caught at mid-on in the 97th over.

Miraz fell after offering a soft catch to backward point, while Taijul departed near the end of the session, edging behind to the wicketkeeper while attempting a pull shot.

Mushfiqur, unbeaten on 71 off 176 deliveries, will now look to build a partnership with Ebadot Hossain, who is yet to score after facing five balls.

Mushfiqur celebrates 39th birthday with 29th Test fifty 

Experienced Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who turned 39 today, celebrated the occasion by notching his 29th Test fifty on Day 2 of the Tigers' first of two Tests against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. 

Mushfiqur was seen cutting a cake and celebrating with teammates before the day's play resumed, with the hosts trying to build on their overnight score of 301 for four -- also Bangladesh's highest-ever collection in a day in Tests against Pakistan. 

The wicketkeeper-batter got to his fifty off 114 deliveries, when he worked a rising Shaheen Shah Afridi delivery on the leg-side for a single in the 89th over. 

Bangladesh reached 317 for four in 90 overs, with Litton Das, not out on 22 off 49, and Mushfiqur at the crease.