Pakistan Take Control at the End of Day Two

Pakistan gained the upper hand at the end of the second day of the Mirpur Test, finishing strongly in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413. The visitors closed the day on 179 for 1, with debutants Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal remaining unbeaten to put their side in a commanding position.

The opening Test of the two-match series began on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. After losing the toss, Bangladesh were sent in to bat first and laid a solid foundation on the opening day, ending with 301 runs for the loss of four wickets.

Bangladesh aimed to stretch their innings further on Saturday, but a collapse in the middle and lower order prevented them from fully capitalizing on the strong start. The hosts added only 112 more runs before being bowled out for 413.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led the batting effort with a brilliant century. He scored 101 off 130 deliveries, striking 12 fours and two sixes. Former captain Mominul Haque narrowly missed out on a hundred, departing for 91 after facing 200 balls and hitting 10 boundaries.

Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim contributed a patient 71-run innings, while Litton Das added 33 runs. Toward the end, pacer Taskin Ahmed played an aggressive cameo of 28 runs from just 19 balls to give Bangladesh extra momentum.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas was the standout performer with the ball, claiming five wickets for 92 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi also impressed, picking up three wickets.

In response, Pakistan made an aggressive start with the bat. The opening pair added 106 runs before Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for 46 off 72 deliveries, including six boundaries.

After the first wicket fell, debutants Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal took control of the innings with confidence. The pair stitched together an unbeaten 73-run partnership for the second wicket to guide Pakistan safely to stumps. Azan remained not out on 85, while Abdullah was unbeaten on 37. At the end of the second day, Pakistan still trail Bangladesh by 234 runs.