Pakistan’s batting flopped again against Bangladesh

By Alam Zeb Safi
SYLHET, Bangladesh: Bangladesh seized momentum in the second Test against Pakistan on Sunday, riding on a sharp bowling display and a quick-fire half-century from opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy to build a 156-run second-innings lead at stumps on day two.
Resuming the morning at 21 for no loss in response to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 278, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under persistent pressure, bowled out for 232 despite a classy 68 from Babar Azam. Armed with a 46-run first-innings advantage, Bangladesh advanced to 110 for three in their second innings before the close of play.
Bangladesh pace bowler Taskin Ahmed provided the early breakthrough by removing Pakistan’s openers in quick succession. While Babar Azam rebuilt the innings with a fluent 84-ball knock, featuring 10 boundaries, his dismissal by young quick Nahid Rana triggered a lower-order collapse.
Rana (3-60) and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (3-67) blew through the tail, terminating Pakistan’s resistance just after the tea break despite a late, aggressive 38 from Sajid Khan.
Bangladesh’s second innings began with an aggressive intent as Joy smashed 52 off just 64 balls, hitting 10 fours. Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad struck back late in the final session, removing both Joy and Mominul Haque (30) to finish with two for 19, leaving skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (13 not out) to shepherd the hosts to the close.
Match Scorecard
Bangladesh 1st Innings: 278 all out (77 overs)
Litton Das 126, Khurram Shahzad 4-81,
Pakistan 1st Innings: 232 all out (57.4 overs) — Overnight 21/0
Babar Azam c Mushfiqur Rahim b Nahid Rana — 68 (84b, 4×10)
Sajid Khan c Tanzid Hasan b Nahid Rana — 38 (28b, 4×2, 6×4)
Shan Masood (c) c sub (Nayeem Hasan) b Mehidy Hasan Miraz — 21 (26b, 4×2)
Salman Agha c Mominul Haque b Taijul Islam — 21 (51b, 4×2)
Hasan Ali c Nahid Rana b Taijul Islam — 18 (37b, 4×3)
Azan Awais c Mominul Haque b Taskin Ahmed — 13 (34b, 4×3)
Mohammad Rizwan † b Taijul Islam — 13 (27b, 4×2)
Khurram Shahzad c Mahmudul Hasan Joy b Nahid Rana — 10 (10b, 4×1, 6×1)
Abdullah Fazal c †Litton Das b Taskin Ahmed — 9 (21b, 4×1)
Saud Shakeel c †Litton Das b Mehidy Hasan Miraz — 8 (28b, 4×1)
Mohammad Abbas not out — 0 (4b)
Extras: (b 4, lb 4, nb 4, w 1) — 13
Total: 232 all out (57.4 overs)
Bangladesh Bowling:
Nahid Rana: 12.4-1-60-3
Taijul Islam: 14-4-67-3
Taskin Ahmed: 11-1-37-2
Mehidy Hasan Miraz: 9-3-21-2
Bangladesh 2nd Innings: 110/3 (26.4 overs)
Mahmudul Hasan Joy c Abdullah Fazal b Mohammad Abbas — 52 (64b, 4×10)
Mominul Haque c †Mohammad Rizwan b Khurram Shahzad — 30 (60b, 4×3)
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c) not out — 13 (32b, 4×1)
Tanzid Hasan c Saud Shakeel b Khurram Shahzad — 4 (7b, 4×1)
Extras: (lb 8, nb 3) — 11
Total: 110/3 (26.4 overs, Bangladesh lead by 156 runs)
Pakistan Bowling:
Khurram Shahzad: 5.4-2-19-2
Mohammad Abbas: 8-0-29-1