Mohammad Abbas and debutant Azan Awais scripted a spirited fightback for Pakistan on Day 2 of the opening Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, even as Bangladesh retained control after a strong first-innings effort. At stumps, Pakistan trailed by 234 runs with nine wickets still in hand.
Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 413 with veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim anchoring the innings with a fluent half-century. He looked composed against the Pakistan attack and produced the most assured batting in the middle order, scoring 71 off 179 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st Test Day 2: Highlights | Scorecard
Taskin Ahmed chipped in with a useful lower-order cameo to help Bangladesh cross the 400-run mark. The fast bowler hit 28 quick shots from just 19 balls, stretching the home side’s advantage further and keeping Pakistan under pressure.
But it was Abbas who stole the show with his disciplined charm and relentless accuracy as he claimed his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. The experienced sailor returned excellent figures of 34-8-92-5, extracting movement and exploiting the conditions expertly. His spell proved central to Pakistan’s resistance as he triggered crucial collapses and prevented Bangladesh from taking the game away completely.
AZAN AWAIS MAKES DEBUT
In response, Pakistan got off to a flying start after Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais put on 106 runs for the opening wicket. Mehidy Hasan Miraz finally gave Bangladesh the breakthrough by dismissing Imam for 45 to end a dangerous looking stand.
Pakistan’s biggest spark came from debutant Awais, who announced himself on the international stage with a composed but aggressive half-century off just 65 balls. The young batsman remained unbeaten on 85 off 133 deliveries at the stumps, showing maturity beyond his years as he blasted through the offside with a smooth stroke and rotated his strike smartly.
Awais also found solid support from his debutant Abdullah Fazal, with the duo putting together a steady partnership of 73 runs for the second wicket. Fazal also remained unbeaten, making 37 off 78 balls as Pakistan closed the day on 179 for one in 46 overs.
Despite Abbas’s incisive five-wicket haul and promising contributions from Awais and Fazal, Bangladesh still had the upper hand at the end of play on Day 2. However, Pakistan’s determined response ensured that the opening Test remained well poised heading into the third day.
A brief score
Bangladesh: 413 all out in 117.1 overs. Najmul Hossain Shanto (101), Mominul Haque (91), Mushfiqur Rahim (71); Mohammad Abbas (5/92), Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/113)
Pakistan: 179/1 in 46 overs. Azan Awais (85*), Imam-ul-Haq (45), Abdullah Fazal (37*); Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1/37)
Pakistan trail Bangladesh by 234 runs at stumps on Day 2
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
09 May 2026 17:50 IST
