Mehidy Hasan claimed five wickets with his crafty off-spin as Bangladesh fought to regain control of the first cricket test against Pakistan in Dhaka on Sunday, dismissing the visitors for 386 and securing a 27-run first-innings lead on a rain-affected third day that saw momentum shift repeatedly between the two sides.
Mehidy finished with 5-102 to help Bangladesh take the advantage after Pakistan appeared set for a commanding position. Bangladesh then moved to 7 for no loss, stretching the overall lead to 34, before bad light forced an early close of play.
Debut Century Highlights Pakistan's Innings
Opener Azan Awais hit 103 on his debut to lead Pakistan's batsmen, becoming the 15th Pakistan batter to hit a century on debut. Awais began the day fluently after Pakistan resumed at 179-1, hitting two fours in the first four overs to reach 99. He then nudged Nahid Rana to point for a single to raise his century off 153 balls.
"I feel blessed. When I was going for batting, I was a little bit nervous, but I performed well for my team," Awais said.
Three other batters—debutant Abdullah Fazal, Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan—hit half-centuries to complement him, but Mehidy ensured Bangladesh took the lead despite Pakistan's strong individual performances.
Bangladesh Bowlers Strike Back
The brilliant knock from Awais came to an end when Taskin (2-70) dismissed him for his 50th test wicket. In doing so, Taskin became only the third Bangladeshi pacer after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain Rajib to reach the milestone.
Taskin then sent back captain Shan Masood to trigger a mini collapse as Pakistan lost three wickets for four runs. Mehidy struck twice, including the wicket of another debutant in Abdullah Fazal, who made 60, leaving Pakistan at 230-5.
Salman Agha and Rizwan mounted a strong recovery with a 119-run partnership, which frustrated Bangladesh's bowlers and revived Pakistan's hopes. But left-arm spinner Taijul Islam broke through with the wicket of Rizwan, dismissing him for 59. Rain arrived shortly after his dismissal to delay the game for two hours.
Collapse Ends Pakistan's Hopes
Fast bowler Nahid Rana struck immediately after the resumption by getting the better of Salman for his only wicket in the innings. Salman's dismissal, however, effectively ended Pakistan's hopes of taking an innings lead. Mehidy then sent back Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi in consecutive overs to complete his 14th five-for before Taijul (2-46) wrapped up Pakistan's innings.
Mahmudul Hasan was on 2 while Shadman Islam was yet to score when umpires called it a day.
Bangladesh's First-Innings Foundation
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto struck a sublime century—a 130-ball 101—and Mominul Haque made 91 to lift Bangladesh to 413 all out in its first innings, providing the foundation for their current advantage.
Mehidy said, "I think the match is evenly poised. You can never say what score is safe here, but I believe 290 to 300 runs can be a good score on this wicket because batting will be very difficult on the fourth and fifth days."
Why This Matters:
Bangladesh's 27-run first-innings lead represents a significant achievement for a team that has historically struggled to compete with Pakistan in test cricket. The collective bowling effort—led by Mehidy's five-wicket haul and supported by Taskin's milestone 50th test wicket and Taijul's crucial breakthroughs—demonstrates the depth and resilience of Bangladesh's bowling attack. While Pakistan's two debutants showed promise with Awais's century and Fazal's half-century, the collapse from 230-5 and the failure to convert partnerships into a commanding total highlights the challenges facing teams on turning pitches where spinners dominate. Mehidy's assessment that 290 to 300 runs could prove decisive underscores how conditions favor bowlers, making Bangladesh's first-innings total of 413 all the more valuable. The match remains evenly poised, but Bangladesh's ability to take the lead despite Pakistan's strong start positions them favorably heading into the crucial fourth and fifth days.