A historic first century by debutant Azan Awais and tenacious fifties by Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha were not enough to overhaul Bangladesh’s first innings total as the hosts grabbed a slender 27-run lead on a thrilling third day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Resuming on a comfortable 179 for 1, Pakistan looked set to dominate. But the morning session turned into a grueling test of patience as Bangladesh’s spinners, led by the indefatigable Mehidy Hasan Miraz, took advantage of the widening cracks in the Mirpur surface to bowl Pakistan out for 386.
He originally owned the narrative of the day 21 year old Azan Awais. He continued on 85. The left-handed opener showed nerves of steel to reach his century in the morning session and become only the third Pakistani to score an away Test ton on debut. His innings of 103 with 14 boundaries was a masterclass in application – especially considering the physical toll of surviving bouncer Nahid Rana with concussion late on Day 2.
Opener Imam-ul-Haq (45) and No.3 Abdullah Fazal (60) started but were unable to kick on and convert them into big strikes.
Awais’ departure, caught by Najmul Hossain Shanto off Taskin Ahmed, triggered the mini-collapse. BAN vs PAK, 1st test update – Scorecard |
Pakistan’s middle order struggled with the reverse-swinging ball and probing lines of Mehida Hasan Miraz. Skipper Shan Masood (9) and Saud Shakeel (0) fell in quick succession to move the visitors to 227 for 4.
RIZWAN AND AGHA FIGHT
With the lead in sight, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha combined for a vital 119-run partnership that momentarily silenced the Dhaka crowd. Rizwan played with his characteristic bustling energy, sweeping and dancing down the track to negate the spin. He brought up a fluent half-century (59 off 79 balls) while Agha provided solid support with a gritty 58. The pair looked destined to guide Pakistan past Bangladesh’s 413, but the second new ball changed the complexion of the game.
Taijul Islam broke the stand by removing Rizwan and Nahid Rana returned to the attack to claim Agha, caught at slip.
Salman Agha is leaving! Najmul Hossain Shanto caught off the bowling of Nahid Rana Bangladesh struck again at a crucial moment pic.twitter.com/tRQus2drFf— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) May 10, 2026
As the shadows lengthened, Mehidy Hasan Miraz came into focus.
The spinner cleared the tail with surgical precision to finish with figures of 5 for 96. His dismissal of Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi ensured Pakistan’s innings was bundled out for 386, giving Bangladesh a crucial mental and mathematical advantage.
Despite the brilliance of Awais and Rizwan, Pakistan will rue the collapse of the middle order which prevented them from building a lead of their own.
The Bangladeshi openers survived a brief Test spell before bad light ended the game with the hosts leading by 34 runs overall. With two days remaining and the pitch starting to turn sharply, the Mirpur Test remains delicately poised.
Pakistan, who are without Babar Azam, will be hoping to take advantage of a tired pitch and put pressure on Bangladesh’s batting as they would not want to chase 200-plus in the final innings.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
10 May 2026 18:02 IST
