Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test 2nd Day: A vintage bowling display from Mohammad Abbas and a stellar debut performance by young opener Azan Awais have headlined the second day of the opening Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Mirpur. After Abbas claimed 5-92 to restrict the hosts to 413, Pakistan’s new-look opening pair provided a sturdy response. By the close of the final session, Pakistan reached 165/1, trailing by 248 runs, with Azan Awais unbeaten on 80 and showcasing the temperament of a veteran on the international stage.

Abbas Mastery and Awais Brilliance Hand Pakistan Control in Mirpur Grind

MIRPUR – In the taxing humidity of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Pakistan rediscovered two things they had sorely missed in recent months: the metronomic brilliance of Mohammad Abbas and the emergence of a genuine long-format batting prospect.

On a Day 2 that swung like a pendulum before settling in Pakistan’s favor, the visitors ended the day at 165/1 in 42 overs, trailing Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413 by 248 runs. The headline of the afternoon was undoubtedly 21-year-old debutant Azan Awais, whose unbeaten 80 has provided the backbone for a spirited Pakistani response.

The Abbas Clinician: A Masterclass in Seam

Bangladesh began the day at a commanding 301/4, looking to bat Pakistan out of the contest. However, Mohammad Abbas, returning to the side with a point to prove, produced a clinic in disciplined seam bowling.

Resuming on 48, Mushfiqur Rahim found the early going difficult as Abbas and Shaheen Shah Afridi operated with a probing line. Abbas broke the overnight stand early in the session, dismissing the dangerous Litton Das for 33. The veteran seamer then sliced through the lower-middle order, removing Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10) and Taijul Islam (17) in quick succession.

The post-lunch session saw a brief but frantic burst of action. Shaheen Afridi finally ended Mushfiqur Rahim’s gritty resistance, clean-bowling the veteran for 71. Abbas then completed his 24th career five-wicket haul in first-class cricket (and a vital international five-for) by trapping Ebadot Hossain for a duck. Despite a late counter-attacking cameo from Taskin Ahmed (28 off 19 balls), Bangladesh were eventually bundled out for 413—a total that felt slightly under-par given their overnight position.

Azan Awais: A Star is Born

With a mountain of runs to climb, Pakistan handed the keys to a brand-new opening pair. While Imam-ul-Haq provided the experience, all eyes were on Azan Awais, the Sialkot-born southpaw who topped the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy charts last season.

The debutant did not disappoint. From his first boundary—a crisp cover drive off Taskin Ahmed—Awais looked like he belonged. He navigated a hostile opening spell from Nahid Rana and the subtle trickery of Mehidy Hasan Miraz with equal aplomb.

The opening partnership reached 106 before Imam-ul-Haq (45) fell to Miraz, failing to capitalize on a solid start. However, rather than triggering a collapse, the wicket only seemed to solidify Awais’s resolve. Alongside fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal (28*), Awais continued to pick gaps with surgical precision. By the time the players walked off, Awais had struck 12 boundaries, moving to 80 off 120 deliveries and putting himself within sight of a historic debut century.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test 2nd DayTactical Analysis: The Left-Handed Gambit

This Test match marked a historic shift for Pakistan. In the absence of the injured Babar Azam, the team fielded seven left-handed batters in their XI—a tactical rarity in their 468-match Test history. The decision seems to be paying dividends on a Mirpur track where the angle across the right-handers often leads to dismissals in the slip cordon.

The left-handed heavy top order forced Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to frequently rotate his spinners, but Awais and Imam’s ability to rotate the strike prevented the hosts from building sustained pressure.

Match Statistics & Standings

Scorecard Highlights:

Bangladesh 1st Innings: 413 all out (Najmul Hossain Shanto 101, Mominul Haque 91, Mushfiqur Rahim 71; Mohammad Abbas 5-92, Shaheen Afridi 3-113)
Pakistan 1st Innings: 165/1 (Azan Awais 80*, Imam-ul-Haq 45, Abdullah Fazal 28*)
Current Deficit: 248 runs
Run Rate: 3.93 per over

Individual Milestones:

Mohammad Abbas: 5th Test five-wicket haul.
Azan Awais: Highest score by a Pakistani debutant opener in Bangladesh.
Mushfiqur Rahim: 29th Test half-century.

The Road Ahead: Day 3 Implications

The third day in Mirpur is traditionally the “moving day,” and tomorrow will be no different. The pitch has already shown signs of variable bounce, with the ball staying low on several occasions during the final hour of play.

For Pakistan, the objective is clear: bat through the first two sessions of Day 3. If Awais can convert his 80 into a substantial hundred and the middle order—led by captain Shan Masood—can build on this platform, Pakistan will look to take a first-innings lead.

For Bangladesh, the early scalp of Awais tomorrow morning is non-negotiable. Taijul Islam, who has been uncharacteristically quiet thus far, will likely be the key man on a wearing surface.

As the WTC points table remains tightly contested, this Mirpur Test is shaping up to be a marathon of attrition. For now, the momentum resides firmly in the Pakistani camp, thanks to a veteran’s guile and a newcomer’s hunger.

Author Profile

Khalid Javed: Khalid Javed is known as Khalid Minhas is editor of Daily Olympic.He is a seasoned journalist and worked with different national and international media outlets.