Debutant Azan Awais finished on 85. Photo: BCB
Debutant opener Azan Awais announced himself on the international stage with a composed unbeaten half-century as he mounted a strong response against on the second day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
At stumps, Pakistan were well placed at 179-1 in 46 overs, trailing Bangladesh by 234 runs after the hosts were bowled out for 413 earlier in the day in the opening match of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
The 20-year-old Azan remained unbeaten on 85, while fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal was solid on 37 not out as the pair frustrated Bangladesh’s bowlers with an unbroken second-wicket stand.
Pakistan’s reply began confidently with Azan and experienced opener Imam-ul-Haq providing a fluent start after Bangladesh’s imposing first-innings total.
The left-right opening combination handled the new ball comfortably and rotated strike effectively, helping Pakistan reach 50 without loss by tea. Imam was unbeaten on 28 at the interval, while Azan had settled into his innings on 18.
The pair continued to dominate in the final session, punishing loose deliveries and bringing up a century opening partnership that shifted momentum towards the visitors.
Azan reached his maiden Test fifty in impressive fashion, displaying patience and maturity beyond his years during a knock filled with controlled strokeplay.
Imam’s dismissal, an arm ball from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, appeared to have little impact on Awais’ own confidence. In the final hour during Nitish’s last burst, he pitched the first two balls short, with Awais dispatching them for boundaries either side. The opener had made a composed 45 off 72 deliveries, including six boundaries.
Abdullah Fazal then joined Azan in the middle and continued Pakistan’s recovery with sensible batting and regular boundary-scoring as the visitors crossed the 150-run mark comfortably.
Mehidy finished as Bangladesh’s lone wicket-taker on the day, while the remainder of the bowling attack struggled to create sustained pressure on a flattening surface.
Earlier, veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas starred with a superb five-wicket haul to help Pakistan dismiss Bangladesh for 413 in 118 overs.
Bangladesh resumed the second day in a commanding position after centuries from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque had dominated day one.
Abbas struck crucial blows on the second morning, dismissing Litton Das for 33 before removing Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam in quick succession.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim resisted with a patient 71 off 179 deliveries, bringing up his 29th Test fifty before being bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Abbas completed his five-for by dismissing Ebadot Hossain for a duck, while Taskin Ahmed’s brisk 28 helped Bangladesh move beyond 400 before Shaheen wrapped up the innings.
Abbas finished with outstanding figures of 5-92 in 34 overs, while Shaheen claimed 3-74. Hasan Ali and Noman Ali chipped in with one wicket each.
It was still the highest first-innings score Bangladesh have ever managed against Pakistan, though it fell short of what they may have hoped when they looked solid at 338 for 4, before losing 5 for 46.