ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Bangladesh tightened their control over the second Test in Sylhet on Sunday as Pakistan national cricket team were reduced to 206-8 by tea on Day 2, struggling to build momentum after a shaky start.
Resuming the day at 21 without loss, Pakistan quickly lost both openers Azan Awais (13) and Abdullah Fazal (9), with Taskin Ahmed striking early to put the visitors under pressure at 23-2. Although Babar Azam and skipper Shan Masood attempted to steady the innings with a 38-run stand, Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the partnership by dismissing Masood for 21. The same bowler soon removed Saud Shakeel for 8, leaving Pakistan in trouble at 79-4.
A key recovery briefly followed as Babar Azam and Agha Salman rebuilt the innings with a composed partnership, lifting the score to 142. Salman played a solid hand, scoring 68 before falling to Nahid Rana. His dismissal triggered another collapse, with Taijul Islam striking repeatedly to remove Agha, Mohammad Rizwan, and Hasan Ali in quick succession, pushing Pakistan down to 184-8. By tea, tailenders Sajid Khan and Khurram Shehzad were at the crease after adding some resistance.
Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the day, with Taijul Islam proving particularly effective in breaking the middle order. Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also made early and crucial breakthroughs that prevented Pakistan from building any sustained partnerships.
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh posted 278 in their first innings after recovering from a precarious position at 116-6. Their innings was anchored by a superb century from Liton Das, who scored 126 off 159 balls, striking 16 fours and two sixes. He found valuable support from the lower order, including Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam, as they added important runs to push the total beyond 250.
For Pakistan, Khurram Shahzad led the bowling effort with four wickets, while Mohammad Abbas took three. Hasan Ali and Sajid Khan chipped in with wickets each, but the visitors were unable to fully restrict Bangladesh’s first-innings advantage.
With Bangladesh firmly on top and Pakistan’s batting under pressure, the match situation now heavily favors the home side heading into the later stages.
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