Pak vs Ban 2nd Test Day 1 Sees Seamers Shine Before Bangladesh Counter Attack

SYLHET: Pakistan finished Day 1 of the second Test at 21 for no loss, comfortably trailing Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 278 all out after an action-packed opening day at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Abbas and Shahzad Dismantle the Top Order

Opting to field first under overcast skies 2nd Test, Pakistan’s pace attack vindicated the captain's decision almost immediately. Mohammad Abbas, returning to lead the seam attack with pristine discipline, struck on just his second delivery. He induced an edge from Mahmudul Hasan Joy, which was sharply caught by Agha Salman at second slip for a duck.

Debutant Tanzid Hasan offered a brief glimpse of aggression, striking three boundaries to chip away at the initial pressure. However, his overconfidence proved to be his downfall. In a moment of misjudgment, he miscued a short ball from Abbas straight back to the bowler for 26.

Khurram Shahzad, stepping efficiently into the lineup, then took control of the middle session. He sent Mominul Haque’s off-stump flying with an absolute beauty for 22, before finding the edge of Najmul Hossain Shanto’s bat for 29. Abbas rejoined the party to claim the key wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim, trapping him LBW for 23 following a tight DRS review. When Mehidy Hasan Miraz succumbed to a brilliant catch off Shahzad shortly after, Bangladesh found themselves reeling at a catastrophic 116 for 6.

Litton Das Fights Back with Masterful Century

With the hosts staring down the barrel of a double-digit collapse, wicketkeeper-batsman Litton Das produced a clinic in counter-attacking Test match cricket. Seamlessly mixing defense with calculated aggression, Das single-handedly altered the momentum of the day.

Das targeted the loose deliveries, hammering 16 boundaries and launching two massive sixes during his 159-ball stay. He found valuable resistance from the lower order, combining with Taijul Islam (16) and the tail to intelligently farm the strike. His magnificent 126 dragged Bangladesh from the brink of humiliation to a highly competitive total of 278. 

Hassan Ali eventually broke the final resistance to finish with 2 for 49, while Khurram Shahzad (4 for 81) and Abbas (3 for 45) wrapped up a fine afternoon.

Pakistan Openers Survive Tricky Stumps Period

Faced with a high-pressure six-over period before the close of play, Pakistan’s new-look opening pair showed remarkable composure. Azan Awais looked particularly fluent, dispatching three elegant boundaries to finish unbeaten on 13. His partner, Abdullah Fazal, anchored the other end safely on 8 not out.

The visitors will walk out on Day 2 trailing by 257 runs with all ten wickets intact. With the pitch showing occasional variable bounce and early movement, the first session tomorrow will be pivotal in dictating who commands this second Test match.