Debutant Azan Awais completed on 85. Photograph: BCB
Debutant opener Azan Awais introduced himself on the worldwide stage with a composed unbeaten half-century as he mounted a robust response in opposition to on the second day of the primary Check on the Sher-e-Bangla Nationwide Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
At stumps, Pakistan have been nicely positioned at 179-1 in 46 overs, trailing Bangladesh by 234 runs after the hosts have been bowled out for 413 earlier within the day within the opening match of the ICC World Check Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
The 20-year-old Azan remained unbeaten on 85, whereas fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal was strong on 37 not out because the pair pissed off Bangladesh’s bowlers with an unbroken second-wicket stand.
Pakistan’s reply started confidently with Azan and skilled opener Imam-ul-Haq offering a fluent begin after Bangladesh’s imposing first-innings complete.
The left-right opening mixture dealt with the brand new ball comfortably and rotated strike successfully, serving to Pakistan attain 50 with out loss by tea. Imam was unbeaten on 28 on the interval, whereas Azan had settled into his innings on 18.
The pair continued to dominate within the remaining session, punishing free deliveries and citing a century opening partnership that shifted momentum in the direction of the guests.
Azan reached his maiden Check fifty in spectacular trend, displaying persistence and maturity past his years throughout a knock crammed with managed strokeplay.
Imam’s dismissal, an arm ball from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, appeared to have little impression on Awais’ personal confidence. Within the remaining hour throughout Nitish’s final burst, he pitched the primary two balls brief, with Awais dispatching them for boundaries both aspect. The opener had made a composed 45 off 72 deliveries, together with six boundaries.
Abdullah Fazal then joined Azan within the center and continued Pakistan’s restoration with smart batting and common boundary-scoring because the guests crossed the 150-run mark comfortably.
Mehidy completed as Bangladesh’s lone wicket-taker on the day, whereas the rest of the bowling assault struggled to create sustained strain on a flattening floor.
Earlier, veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas starred with an outstanding five-wicket haul to assist Pakistan dismiss Bangladesh for 413 in 118 overs.
Bangladesh resumed the second day in a commanding place after centuries from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque had dominated day one.
Abbas struck essential blows on the second morning, dismissing Litton Das for 33 earlier than eradicating Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam in fast succession.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim resisted with a affected person 71 off 179 deliveries, citing his twenty ninth Check fifty earlier than being bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Abbas accomplished his five-for by dismissing Ebadot Hossain for a duck, whereas Taskin Ahmed’s brisk 28 helped Bangladesh transfer past 400 earlier than Shaheen wrapped up the innings.
Abbas completed with excellent figures of 5-92 in 34 overs, whereas Shaheen claimed 3-74. Hasan Ali and Noman Ali chipped in with one wicket every.
It was nonetheless the best first-innings rating Bangladesh have ever managed in opposition to Pakistan, although it fell wanting what they might have hoped once they regarded strong at 338 for 4, earlier than shedding 5 for 46.