SYLHET – Bangladesh tightened their grip on the second and final Test against Pakistan after another dominant display on day two at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After earning a valuable 46-run first-innings lead, the hosts stretched their advantage to 156 runs by stumps, finishing the day at 110-3 in 26.4 overs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on 13, while Mominul Haque fell on the final delivery of the day after a composed knock of 30. Bangladesh suffered an early setback when Tanzid Hasan departed for four in the fourth over, but Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque quickly steadied the innings with an impressive counterattack.
The pair stitched together a fluent 76-run partnership that shifted momentum firmly in Bangladesh’s favour. In-form Joy brought up his sixth Test half-century in just 58 deliveries before eventually falling for a brisk 52 off 64 balls, an innings decorated with 10 boundaries. Following his dismissal, Shanto and Mominul continued to frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers, guiding Bangladesh past the 100-run mark and extending the lead beyond 150 runs. Pakistan finally struck late in the day when Khurram Shahzad removed Mominul with a sharp delivery outside off stump.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s bowlers produced a disciplined effort to dismiss Pakistan for 232 in 57.4 overs, securing a crucial first-innings advantage. Babar Azam stood tall amid Pakistan’s struggles with a classy 68 off 84 balls, striking 10 elegant boundaries. He shared a promising 63-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha after Pakistan had stumbled early in their innings.
However, once Babar was dismissed by pacer Nahid Rana, Pakistan’s middle order collapsed under pressure. Salman contributed 21 before falling to Taijul Islam, while Mohammad Rizwan managed 13 before being bowled by the left-arm spinner. Lower-order batter Sajid Khan provided late resistance with 38 off just 28 balls, smashing two fours and four sixes. Yet his entertaining cameo was cut short by Nahid Rana, who wrapped up the innings to hand Bangladesh a significant lead. Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam starred with the ball for the hosts, claiming three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with two scalps apiece. Bangladesh’s dominance was set up earlier by a magnificent century from Litton Das in the first innings. Rescuing his side from a precarious 116-6, the wicketkeeper-batter crafted a superb 126 off 159 deliveries, laced with 16 fours and two sixes and helped Bangladesh post a competitive total of 278. For Pakistan, Khurram Shahzad impressed with figures of 4-81, while Mohammad Abbas claimed three wickets and Hasan Ali picked up two.
Scores in Brief
DAY 2 OF 5: BANGLADESH 278 all out, 77 overs AND 110-3, 26.4 overs (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 52, Mominul Haque 30; Khurram Shahzad 2-19) vs PAKISTAN 232 all out, 57.4 overs (Babar Azam 68, Sajid Khan 38; Nahid Rana 3-60, Taijul Islam 3-67).
