SYLHET: Bangladesh ended day two of the second Test on high against Pakistan at the Sylhet International Stadium on Sunday after securing a vital first innings lead of 46.
The hosts ended the day in a strong position, leading by 156 runs after reaching 110-3 at stumps, with the wicket of Mominul Haque bringing the day’s play to a close.
Pakistan struck in the fourth over of Bangladesh’s innings as Khurram Shehzad removed debutant Tanzid Hasan for four. Yet, it was Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s brisk half-century that asserted home-side dominance. He forged a 76-run stand alongside Mominul Haque, propelling the score to 91 at the end of the 17th over.
The stand culminated in the form of Joy’s dismissal, caught at deep square leg off Mohammad Abbas’s bowling. He hit 10 fours in his 52 from 64 balls.
Skipper Najmul Hossain joined Mominul as both batters negotiated the final overs until Shehzad sent him back with a hard length delivery, pitched outside off stump. He made 30 with the help of three fours, whereas Shanto remained unbeaten on 13.
For Pakistan, Khurram Shehzad picked two while Mohammad Abbas managed to scalp one.
Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan soon after Tea on Day 2 to take a 46-run lead in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Pakistan were dismissed for 232 in 57.4 overs, with Babar Azam top-scoring for the visitors with 68.
Resuming after Tea at 206-8 and trailing by 71 runs, Pakistan lost Khurram Shehzad (10), adding just a single run to the team’s total. Sajid Khan then offered brief resistance with a fighting 38 off 28 balls, striking four sixes and two fours, including three sixes off Taijul Islam over.
However, Rana had the final say, dismissing Sajid to wrap up the innings and give Bangladesh a first-inning lead.
For Bangladesh, Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam led the attack, sharing six wickets between them, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up two each.
Earlier, Pakistan had slipped into trouble during the post-lunch session. They were reduced to 206-8 at Tea, still trailing by 71 runs, after a dramatic collapse.
Sajid Khan and Khurram Shehzad remained at the crease, both scoring six and 10 runs respectively.
Babar Azam had earlier held the innings together with a fluent 68 off 84 balls, striking 10 fours. He shared a 63-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha after Pakistan were in early trouble.
But once Babar was removed, Pakistan lost their way in the middle. He was caught at mid on in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings. He looked in fine touch, scoring 68 off 84 balls, including 10 fours.
Rana broke the stand, brought back by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in a decisive move that got the prized wicket of Babar.
Salman Ali Agha also threw his wicket away, trying to slog sweep Taijul Islam and ended up being caught on the boundary. He made 21 with the help of two fours.
Soon after, Mohammad Rizwan was cleaned up by Taijul to leave Pakistan reeling at 174-7. He made 13 from 27 deliveries.
Hasan Ali tried to resist, scoring 18 from 37, striking three fours and helped reduce the deficit to under the 100 run mark. But his resistance came to an end, courtesy of a juggling catch from Nahid Rana.
In the morning session, Pakistan had also lost quick wickets with Taskin Ahmed removing promoted opener Abdullah Fazal (9) and Azan Awais (13) in quick succession.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood (21) and Babar Azam rebuilt the innings with a brief 38-run partnership. The visitors’ woes compounded when they lost Saud Shakeel as well, leaving them 79 for four before Lunch.
READ: WATCH: Nahid Rana delivers massive blow with Babar Azam’s wicket
