Rawalpindi, Pakistan — In a thrilling display of resilience, wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das powered Bangladesh with a remarkable 138-run knock on day three of the second Test against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. His heroic innings guided Bangladesh to a total of 262, just 12 runs shy of Pakistan’s first-innings score of 274.
Bangladesh’s pace sensation Hasan Mahmud provided a crucial breakthrough late in the day, dismissing Abdullah Shafique for 3 and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad for 0. Pakistan, with a slender lead of 21 runs, closed the day at 9/2 in their second innings.
Read More:Rains in Rawalpindi Wash Out the Opening Day of the Second Test Between Pakistan and Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Fightback Led by Litton Das
Bangladesh’s innings was initially in deep trouble at 26/6, courtesy of a brilliant bowling display by Pakistan’s Mir Hamza and Khurram Shahzad. However, Litton Das, in partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, orchestrated a remarkable recovery, putting on a 165-run stand for the seventh wicket.
Mehidy contributed significantly with a composed 78, his eighth Test half-century, before being dismissed by Khurram Shahzad, who continued to shine with the ball. Shahzad ended the innings with a career-best six-wicket haul, dismissing Mehidy and later Taskin Ahmed for 1, to leave Bangladesh teetering.
Litton Das, undeterred by the fall of wickets, reached his 18th Test fifty and went on to score his fourth Test century. He found valuable support from Hasan Mahmud, who held his nerve at the other end, adding 69 runs for the ninth wicket with Das.
Das’s incredible innings came to an end after he was caught by Saim Ayub at long-on off Salman Ali Agha. His 228-ball stay at the crease included 13 fours and four sixes. Agha also claimed the final wicket of Nahid Rana, wrapping up the Bangladesh innings at 262.
Pakistan’s Innings Overview
Earlier in the match, Pakistan posted 274 in their first innings after being put into bat on day two. Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the standout performer for Bangladesh, taking five wickets, while pacer Taskin Ahmed claimed three.
For Pakistan, skipper Shan Masood (57), Saim Ayub (58), and Salman Ali Agha (54) all contributed with half-centuries. However, Babar Azam’s form remained a concern as he managed only 31 runs off 77 balls, extending his run without a fifty in Test cricket to 15 innings.
The first day’s play was abandoned due to rain, leaving the match poised for an exciting finish.
Playing XIs
- Bangladesh XI: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.
- Pakistan XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad.
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