Pakistan Under Pressure in First Session as Taskin-Miraz Strike

Dark clouds hovered over the sky, and the pitch offered ideal assistance for the pacers. Taking full advantage of the conditions, Bangladesh rattled Pakistan’s batting lineup at the very start of day two of the Sylhet Test. Controlled spells from Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz left the visitors struggling at four wickets down before lunch.

Pakistan had resumed the day after scoring 21 runs in six overs late on Saturday. However, the openers failed to build on that start on Sunday morning. Taskin struck in the third ball of the second over of the day when Abdullah Fazal edged one behind. Litton Das completed a brilliant diving catch to his left to dismiss him for 9 runs.

Taskin added another breakthrough in the same spell. Aazan Awais, who had scored a century in the previous Test, was caught at short leg after making 13 runs, leaving Pakistan reeling at 26 for 2.

Shan Masood and Babar Azam then attempted to steady the innings with a partnership, but their resistance did not last long. Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the 38-run stand by removing Pakistan captain Masood for 21.

Miraz continued to tighten the screws on Saud Shakeel as well. The left-hander struggled throughout his innings, scoring only 8 runs off 28 balls. Attempting a sweep to release the pressure, he only managed a faint edge that safely settled into Litton Das’ gloves.

At the lunch break, Pakistan were 96 for 4, still trailing Bangladesh by 182 runs in the first innings.