BAN vs PAK, 2nd Test, Day 2 Live Score: Litton Das made a brilliant century to save the Bangladesh national cricket team from a dramatic top-order collapse as the hosts posted 278 runs in the first innings on the first day of the second and final Test against the Pakistan national cricket team on Saturday.
Pakistan ended the day on 21 without loss in reply, with Azan Awais unbeaten on 13 and Abdullah Fazal on 8 in Sylhet.
Litton is leading Bangladesh’s recovery
Litton came in at No.6 and counter-attacked with 126 off 159 balls, smashing 16 fours and two sixes for his sixth Test century. His innings came at a crucial moment after Bangladesh slumped to 116/6 shortly after lunch.
Already 1-0 down in the two-match series after their 104-run defeat in Mirpur, Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss – a decision that paid off immediately.
Pakistan attacked early
Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy was dismissed for a duck after he fielded Mohammad Abbas for his second slip off the second ball of the match.
Debutant Tanzid Hasan looked promising during his quickfire 26 off 34 balls, hitting three boundaries before attempting an ambitious shot against Abbas, who completed the catch off his own bowling.
Mominul Haque was then bowled for 22 by Khurram Shahzad.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and seasoned batsman Mushfiqur Rahim tried to stabilize the innings with a 43-run partnership.
Collapse after lunch
However, Bangladesh lost momentum immediately after lunch, losing three wickets for just 15 runs.
Shanto fell behind Abbas for 29, Mushfiqur was trapped lbw for 23 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell for four after being caught at deep fine leg, leaving the hosts on 116/6.
The lower order is supported by Litton
Litton found valuable support from the lower order. He stitched together a patient 60-run partnership with Taijul Islam, who scored 16 off 114 balls. Litton reached his fifty in 93 balls before quickly accelerating.
The right-hander needed just 42 more deliveries to complete his century as he did so with a stylish cover shot from Shahzada before dispatching the next ball for a six.
Litton then added 38 runs alongside Taskin Ahmed and followed it up with a crucial 64 runs for the ninth wicket with Shoriful Islam off just 73 balls.
“The most important thing about this innings is that Taijul, Taskin and Shoriful all batted well and faced a lot of balls,” said Litton.
Pakistan rue missed review
Pakistan also squandered two crucial review opportunities during Bangladesh’s innings. The records later showed weak edges from Mushfiqur and Litton, but captain Shan Masood chose not to challenge the umpire’s decision.
“We were getting early wickets. Unfortunately we missed a few reviews,” said Shahzad.
“If we had gotten them there, it would have been a completely different situation.
