Bangladesh will enter the third day of the first Test against Pakistan with a 243-run lead but with the uncomfortable knowledge that two dropped catches may yet prove costly, after debutant opener Azan Awais batted beautifully to finish the second day unbeaten on 85 as Pakistan closed on 179 for 1 in Mirpur on 9 May.
Bangladesh had begun the second day on 301 for 3 and were dismissed for 413 in their first innings, with Mohammad Abbas claiming five wickets in a disciplined display that prevented the hosts from building an even more imposing total. Mushfiqur Rahim, who had been Bangladesh’s beacon of resistance, was bowled for 71 in the first over after lunch, undone by the late inswing of a Shaheen Shah Afridi delivery that curved sharply back into him. His departure left Bangladesh at 384 for 9, with a total of 400 looking a distant prospect.
The first hour of the day’s play cost Bangladesh three wickets in quick succession. Liton Das was the first to go, followed by Mehedi Hasan Miraz, before Taijul Islam played a brisk 17 off 23 balls before becoming Abbas’s fourth victim. The Pakistan seamer completed a fifth wicket when he forced Ebadot Hossain into a catch off a bouncer, recording his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Taskin Ahmed’s late hitting of 23 off 19 balls helped shepherd Bangladesh to 413 before the innings closed.
Chasing a total of 413, Pakistan’s response was assured and at times impressive. Awais and Imam ul Haq put on 106 for the opening wicket in a partnership that demonstrated composure and attacking intent in equal measure. Both batters handled the Bangladesh pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and Nahid Rana with considerable skill, playing their shots freely and refusing to be pinned down.
Bangladesh’s only breakthrough came through Miraz, who had Imam trapped lbw in the 21st over for 45 off 72 balls. However, the left-hander should have departed significantly earlier. In the eighth over, Imam edged an Ebadot delivery towards third slip when on 23, but Mahmudul Hasan Joy dived to his left and could not hold on. It was a costly miss.
Awais, continuing his excellent debut innings, found a willing partner in fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal, and the two batters saw Pakistan through to the close of play with relative comfort. Fazal was on 37 not out when stumps were drawn, but he too had benefited from a missed chance. In the 43rd over, he edged a Taskin delivery outside off stump towards gully, but Shadman Islam reacted too slowly and could not complete the catch.
Awais finished the day unbeaten on 85, having batted with a maturity and technique that belied his inexperience at Test level. His innings has given Pakistan a genuine platform from which to threaten Bangladesh’s first-innings advantage on day three.
