Mahmudul Hasan Joy answered his critics with a timely half-century as Bangladesh ended day two of the second Test with a strong 156-run lead over Pakistan in Sylhet.
After Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam, bowled Pakistan out for 232 and secured a 46-run first-innings lead, the hosts returned to bat for one final push in the series.
Pakistan struck early. Khurram Shahzad removed debutant Tanzid Hasan Tamim for just 4. The young opener edged to gully and Bangladesh lost an early wicket once again.
That brought pressure back on Mahmudul Hasan Joy. After three poor scores in the series, Joy finally delivered when Bangladesh needed him. He looked far more confident at the crease, played stylish cover drives and found regular boundaries.
Joy batted with control and productiveness as he rebuilt Bangladesh’s innings. The opener reached his sixth Test fifty, an important knock that eased pressure on both himself and the team after recent criticism.
He eventually fell for 52 when he tried to attack Mohammad Abbas and was caught in the deep.
By then, however, he had already given Bangladesh a solid platform. Mominul Haque then added useful runs.
The experienced batter scored 30 from 60 balls and helped Bangladesh continue building the lead. He looked set to finish the day unbeaten, but Pakistan struck right at the end.
Khurram Shahzad removed Mominul with the final ball of the day as the left-hander edged behind to Mohammad Rizwan.
It was an important late breakthrough for Pakistan, but Bangladesh still ended the session in control.
At stumps, Bangladesh were 110 for 3 in their second innings. That pushed their overall lead to 156 runs and kept them well ahead heading into day three.
Khurram continued to trouble Bangladesh with key wickets, but Joy’s relieving fifty and Bangladesh’s steady progress gave the hosts the stronger finish as they moved closer to setting Pakistan a major target.
