Pakistan will head into Day 3 of the opening Test against Bangladesh with renewed confidence after fighting their way back into the contest through impressive performances from Mohammad Abbas and debutant Azan Awais. After Bangladesh resumed Day 2 at 301/4 and looked set for a massive first-innings total, Abbas produced a sensational spell of disciplined seam bowling to finish with figures of 5/92 and bowl the hosts out for 413. The experienced pacer consistently troubled the batters outside the off stump and sparked a collapse in the morning session.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim tried to hold the innings together with a gritty 71 after starting the day unbeaten on 48. During his knock, Mushfiqur registered his 42nd fifty-plus score in Test cricket, surpassing Tamim Iqbal for the most by a Bangladesh batter. Abbas removed Litton Das for 33 to break a promising partnership before dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam in quick succession. Shaheen Afridi complemented him well with 3/113 and ended Mushfiqur's resistance shortly after lunch. Abbas then completed his five-wicket haul by removing Ebadot Hossain for a duck. A late cameo from Taskin Ahmed, who smashed 28 off just 19 balls, pushed Bangladesh past the 400-run mark. Earlier in the match, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had laid the foundation with a superb 101, while Mominul Haque contributed 91 on Day 1.
In reply, Pakistan's batting unit showed resilience under pressure. Debutant opener Azan Awais impressed with an unbeaten 85 at stumps, displaying remarkable composure in his maiden Test innings. Alongside Imam-ul-Haq, he added a 106-run opening partnership to blunt Bangladesh's new-ball attack. Bangladesh finally broke through when Mehidy Hasan trapped Imam lbw for 45, but Pakistan continued to build steadily. Another debutant, Abdullah Fazal, overcame an uncertain start to finish unbeaten on 37. He also survived a dropped catch by Shadman Islam off the bowling of Taskin Ahmed. At stumps, Pakistan were 179/1, still trailing by 234 runs with nine wickets in hand.
Day 3 Preview: Moving Day
As we step into Day 3, the classic moving day of Test cricket, the match stands beautifully poised. Historically, this is the day where the game's direction is often decided. A dominant session for either side can either shut the door on the opposition or open up a path to victory. For Bangladesh, this day is about breaking through the set partnership of the young Pakistani debutants and exposing the middle order to the turning ball. For Pakistan, the goal is to convert this solid start into a substantial first-innings lead. With a thunderstorm around, it will be keen to see how the weather plays and how can the Bangladesh bowlers benefit from the overcast conditions.
Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas
Key Highlights from Day 2
- Mohammad Abbas took 5/92 to bowl Bangladesh out for 413.
- Mushfiqur Rahim scored 71, his 42nd fifty-plus in Tests.
- Azan Awais remained unbeaten on 85 on debut.
- Pakistan reached 179/1, trailing by 234 runs.
