DHAKA, May 9, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh squandered the opportunity to seize full control of the opening Test against Pakistan after a disappointing bowling and fielding display allowed the visitors to claw their way back into the contest on Day 2 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

The hosts began the day with an aim to extend their domination, after hurling the baton on the opening, thanks to a sublime century from skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and a well-composed 91 from Mominul Haque.

But Pakistan responded strongly through a sensational five-wicket haul from pacer Mohammad Abbas and an assured unbeaten knock from debutant opener Azan Awais.

Bangladesh resumed at 301-4 but were able to add just 112 before being all out for 413, failing to deal with Abbas who utilized subtle movement of the pitch impeccably to claim 5-92.

Pakistan then reached 179-1 at stumps, with Azan batting confidently on 85 and fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal unbeaten on 37, reducing the deficit to 237 runs heading into Day 3.

Azan and his senior opening partner Imam-ul-Haq showed an immense resolve in negating the early threat of Bangladesh pacers and put on a century stand.
Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz gave Bangladesh the only success by trapping Imam-ul-Haque leg-before for 45, ending the 106-run opening stand. But Azan’s positive intent helped Pakistan to keep the momentum with them. 

Fazal struggled badly against the pacers initially. But when he broke the deadlock in 19th delivery, his first scoring shot was a boundary through a fierce cut over point region.

He then negotiated Bangladesh bowlers with ease before poking a wide delivery from Taskin Ahmed to gully where Shadman Islam failed to hold onto the catch.

Abbas earlier denied Bangladesh the full control of the game. His disciplined bowling stalled the progress, paving the way for the side to make a strong comeback.
Abbas relied on an old school Test match approach, bowling relentlessly outside the off stump to induce mistakes. 

While the strategy prevented Bangladesh from accelerating, it also brought Pakistan the breakthroughs they desperately needed.

Mushfiqur, who began the day at 48, nudged Shaheen Shah Afridi for a single in the third over of the morning to bring up his 29th Test fifty from 114 balls.

The milestone marked his 42nd fifty-plus score in Tests, the most by a Bangladesh batter, surpassing Tamim Iqbal’s tally of 41.

He and Liton Das looked to take Bangladesh in stranglehold before Abbas produced a beauty to dismiss the latter for 33, ending 62-run third wicket stand.

Abbas followed Liton’s wicket by sending back Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10) and Taijul Islam (17) in quick succession, leaving Mushfiqur dig deep.

Shaheen Shah Afrid rattled the stump of Mushfiqur, just three balls after the lunch session to dismiss him for 71. The veteran’s patient knock included eight boundaries.

Abbas then removed Ebadot Hossain for duck with a bouncer to complete his sixth five-wicket haul in the Test format.

Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana took Bangladesh past 400 with luck and pluck as Shaheen and Abbas threw a barrage of bouncers in a bid to break the last wicket partnership as quicker as possible.

However, Shaheen got the better of Taskin who hit 19 ball-28 to wrap up Bangladesh innings. Shaheen ended with 3-113 to complement Abbas’s five-wicket haul.