A disciplined Pakistan bowling attack, spearheaded by Mohammad Abbas, turned the tide

Sports Desk:

Bangladesh let a commanding position slip as Pakistan staged a spirited comeback on Day 2 of the opening Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Resuming on a healthy 301-4, the hosts were eyeing a total that would put them firmly in control after skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s fluent century and Mominul Haque’s composed 91 had laid a solid foundation on the opening day. Instead, a disciplined Pakistan attack, spearheaded by Mohammad Abbas, turned the tide.

Abbas produced a masterclass in traditional Test match bowling, exploiting subtle movement and maintaining an unrelenting line outside off stump. His incisive spell of 5-92 dismantled Bangladesh’s middle and lower order, restricting them to 413 after they could add only 112 more runs to their overnight tally.

The morning began positively for Bangladesh as veteran Mushfiqur Rahim brought up his 29th Test half-century, nudging Shaheen Shah Afridi for a single to reach the milestone off 114 deliveries. It was his 42nd fifty-plus score in Tests — the most by a Bangladeshi batter, overtaking Tamim Iqbal’s tally of 41.

Mushfiqur and Liton Das looked set to tighten Bangladesh’s grip with a 62-run stand. However, Abbas broke through with a delivery that accounted for Liton (33), triggering a collapse. He quickly removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10) and Taijul Islam (17), leaving the hosts wobbling.

Shaheen struck soon after lunch, rattling Mushfiqur’s stumps for 71 to halt further resistance. Abbas then dismissed Ebadot Hossain for a duck to claim his sixth five-wicket haul in Tests. Late hitting from Taskin Ahmed, who smashed 28 off 19 balls, helped Bangladesh cross the 400-mark before Shaheen finished with 3-113.

Pakistan’s reply was equally emphatic. Debutant opener Azan Awais displayed remarkable poise, compiling an unbeaten 85 to anchor the innings. Alongside senior partner Imam-ul-Haq, Azan blunted Bangladesh’s new-ball attack in a 106-run opening stand that shifted momentum decisively.

Mehidy provided the only breakthrough, trapping Imam leg-before for 45. But Pakistan continued to build steadily as fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal recovered from a tentative start to remain unbeaten on 37. Fazal survived a scare when Shadman Islam dropped a sharp chance at gully off Taskin, a lapse that summed up Bangladesh’s frustrating day in the field.

By stumps, Pakistan had advanced to 179-1, trimming the deficit to 237 runs and firmly rebalancing the contest. What began as Bangladesh’s day ended with Pakistan in the ascendancy, setting up a pivotal third morning in Mirpur.