Bangladesh national cricket team wicketkeeper-batsman Litton Das produced a stunning counter-attacking century to rescue his side after an early collapse on the opening day of the second and final Test against the Pakistan national cricket team on Saturday.
Litton smashed 126 runs off just 159 deliveries, with 16 boundaries and two sixes, helping Bangladesh recover to 278 in the first innings after a disastrous start.
Pakistan then safely negotiated six overs in front of stumps, reaching 21 for no loss and trailing by 257 runs at the end of the game.
Apart from Litton, no Bangladeshi batsman managed to cross the 30-run mark, underscoring the pressure that Pakistan’s disciplined attack was building throughout the day.
BAN vs PAK 2nd Test: Day 1 Highlights
Khurram Shahzad, brought into the side in place of Shaheen Shah Afridi, bowled for Pakistan and returned to figures of 4 for 81. Great support was provided by veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas who took 3 for 45.
Hasan Ali, who suffered an injury early in the innings after falling awkwardly in his opener, later returned to the field and finished with figures of 2 for 49, including the prized wicket of Litton Das.
Pakistan got off to a perfect start after captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to bat first. Abbas struck with only the second ball of the innings and dismissed Mahmudul Hasan for a duck.
Debutant Tanzid Hasan briefly faced the pressure with a lively knock of 26 runs. The left-hander played some eye-catching knocks, including covering Abbas, before taking on Khurram Shahzad as well.
However, in the eighth over, Tanzid offered a reverse catch to Hasan Ali. The Pakistan pacer was injured while being caught and had to be immediately stretchered off the field.
Tanzid’s dismissal ended a 44-run partnership with Mominul Haque, to whom Shahzad then made 22, as Bangladesh slumped to 63 for 3.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who came into the match after scores of 101 and 87 in the first Test, looked to stabilize the innings alongside veteran Mushfiqur Rahim. But Abbas broke the stand by dismissing Shanta for 29.
Khurram Shahzad then triggered another collapse, removing Mushfiqur Rahim for 23 and Mehidy Hasan in quick succession as Bangladesh slumped to 116 for 6.
At this stage, Litton Das launched a remarkable rescue act.
The wicketkeeper stitched a valuable partnership with Taijul Islam for the seventh wicket and gradually shifted the momentum back in favor of Bangladesh.
Litton brought up his half-century in 93 balls before stepping up brilliantly. He completed his sixth Test hundred from 135 deliveries with a stunning back-foot strike into the covers, drawing applause from the crowd.
His aggressive approach ensured that Bangladesh remained competitive despite repeated setbacks around him.
Pakistan openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal then cruised safely through the final overs of the day to finish unbeaten at 13th and 8th respectively.
Pakistan’s leading batsman Babar Azam also returned to the squad for the second Test after missing the opening match with a left knee injury.
– The end
Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
17 May 2026 01:40 IST
