Bangladesh established a commanding lead in the second Test against Pakistan, reaching 110-3 and extending its overall advantage to 156 runs by stumps on the second day, Sunday. This outcome followed a disciplined batting and bowling performance by the Bangladesh side. Opener Mahmudul Hasan contributed 52 runs to this accumulation. Earlier in the day, fast bowler Nahid Rana and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam each secured three wickets. Their combined efforts concluded Pakistan’s first innings at 232 runs. This bowling performance granted Bangladesh a 46-run lead in conditions favorable to bowlers. Bangladesh had previously been dismissed for 278 runs in its first innings, a total bolstered by a 126-run performance from Litton Das on the opening day.
Establishing Dominance
Nahid Rana, building on his five-wicket haul from Bangladesh’s 104-run victory in the first test earlier in the series, proved instrumental in preventing Pakistan from securing a first-innings lead. Rana removed star batter Babar Azam, who had scored a team-best 68 runs upon his return to the side. Rana then dismantled the resistance of Sajid Khan, who had made 38 runs, thereby concluding Pakistan's innings. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and offspinner Mehidy Hasan collectively secured four wickets, placing Pakistan in a precarious position after they resumed play on Sunday at 21 runs without loss. Taskin Ahmed, with figures of 2-37, dismissed openers Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais within his initial two overs of the day, thereby positioning Bangladesh on the offensive.
Nahid stated that “Taskin and Shoriful (Islam) are bowling with a lot of discipline and partnership in the beginning.” He further elaborated on the strategic impact, noting, “When there is pressure and runs are not coming, batters think a lot and play wrong shots. They tried to take that advantage and succeeded.”
Pakistan's Concession
Abdullah Fazal, who had achieved twin half-centuries in the first test earlier in the series, edged a delivery behind the wicket after scoring 9 runs. Taskin Ahmed then delivered a ball that swung viciously past Azan Awais, a centurion in the first test, who pushed the delivery to short-leg when he was on 13 runs. Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam briefly halted the decline in wickets. However, Mehidy Hasan, with figures of 2-21, concluded their 38-run partnership when Masood struck a short ball directly to the fielder at short cover, departing for 21 runs. Mehidy Hasan subsequently dismissed Saud Shakeel for 8 runs, leaving Babar Azam with a substantial task to maintain Pakistan's position in the match. Babar Azam received some assistance from Salman Agha, and they appeared to navigate the Bangladesh bowlers with relative ease following the initial difficulties. Babar Azam scored a boundary off pacer Shoriful Islam to achieve his 31st fifty, reaching the milestone off 63 balls. He maintained a semblance of control until Nahid Rana delivered a decisive ball that unsettled him. Babar Azam, who had struck 10 boundaries during his 84-ball innings, chipped the ball directly to Mushfiqur Rahim after being deceived by Nahid Rana's varied pace. This dismissal ended the 63-run partnership with Agha.
Babar Azam acknowledged, “We started well, but we could not build long partnerships.” He further elaborated on their attempt to consolidate, stating, “Me and Salman Agha were trying to build one in the middle, but unfortunately we could not continue it.” Azam concluded by emphasizing a fundamental requirement of the game: “In test cricket, you need two or three good partnerships.”
Strategic Accumulation
Taijul Islam then secured the wicket of Salman Agha, who had scored 21 runs. Islam subsequently dismissed Mohammad Rizwan and Hasan, resulting in Pakistan losing three wickets rapidly. Sajid Khan then propelled the side beyond 200 runs through an aggressive approach against the Bangladesh bowlers. Nahid Rana returned to the attack to conclude Khan’s 28-ball innings of 38 runs, which included two fours and four sixes, thereby completing Pakistan's innings. Despite the early loss of Tanzid Hasan in their second innings, Mahmudul Hasan and Mominul Haque established a 76-run partnership for the second wicket, maintaining Bangladesh's advantage. Pacer Mohammad Abbas dissolved this partnership after Mahmudul Hasan achieved his sixth fifty. Khurram Shahzad then removed Mominul Haque, who had scored 30 runs, with the final ball of the day. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto remained at the crease, batting on 13 runs.