Stlhet, 16 May (H.S.):

Powered by a brilliant century from wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, Bangladesh staged a strong recovery from a difficult position on the opening day of the second Test being played here. At one stage, Bangladesh were in deep trouble at 116 for 6, but Litton’s aggressive 126 off 159 balls lifted the team to 278. In reply, Pakistan reached 21 without loss by the close of play and are still 257 runs behind.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, with fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad making excellent use of the early conditions. None of Bangladesh’s top five batters could cross the 30-run mark.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy was dismissed in the very first over, caught in the slips. Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Mominul Haque then tried to steady the innings. The pair added 44 runs, but Abbas broke the partnership by dismissing Tanzid. Soon after, Mominul also fell to Khurram Shahzad, leaving Bangladesh on 63 for 3.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim then batted cautiously and took the team to 101 for 3 at lunch. However, Pakistan came back strongly after the break. Abbas removed Shanto, while Shahzad sent Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz back to the pavilion, leaving Bangladesh in serious trouble at 116 for 6.

At that stage, Litton Das found valuable support from Taijul Islam. The two added 60 runs for the seventh wicket. Even after Taijul’s dismissal, Litton continued to attack. He completed a superb century with boundaries and sixes, bringing up the milestone with a four off Khurram Shahzad and then hitting a six off the very next delivery.

Litton Das and Shariful Islam added a crucial 64 runs for the ninth wicket to take Bangladesh to a respectable total. Litton was eventually dismissed by Hasan Ali’s short ball. Shortly after, Nahid Rana also returned to the pavilion, and

Bangladesh’s innings ended at 278.

For Pakistan, Khurram Shahzad took the most wickets with 4, while Mohammad Abbas claimed 3.

In the final stage of the day, Pakistan openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal batted cautiously to take the team to stumps without loss.

Brief score:

Bangladesh – 278 all out

Litton Das 126, Najmul Hossain Shanto 29

Khurram Shahzad 4/81, Mohammad Abbas 3/45

Pakistan – 21/0

Azan Awais 13*, Abdullah Fazal 8*

Pakistan trail Bangladesh by 257 runs.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar