MIRPUR, Bangladesh: Pakistan opener Azan Awais marked his international debut with a composed half-century, guiding the visitors to a commanding position at stumps on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
At the close of play, Pakistan stood at 179 for 1 after 46 overs, still trailing by 234 runs. Awais remained unbeaten on 85, alongside fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal, who was not out on 37.
Azan Awais leads Pakistan’s positive response after Mohammad Abbas starred with a five-wicket haul earlier in the day 🏏
Pakistan trail by 234 runs with nine wickets in hand#BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/IV94unwiIR
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 9, 2026
The pair built on a strong start from openers Imam-ul-Haq and Awais, who had earlier handled the Bangladesh bowling with patience and positivity. Pakistan reached tea at 50 without loss in 10 overs, with Imam on 28 and Awais on 18, trailing by 363 runs.
The opening duo continued to pile on the pressure in the final session, bringing up a century partnership before Awais raised his bat for his maiden Test fifty. However, off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke through by dismissing Imam for 45 off 72 balls (six fours), leaving Pakistan at 106 for 1 in the 22nd over.
Fazal then joined Awais and played sensibly, rotating strike and finding boundaries regularly to help Pakistan cruise past 150. Mehidy remained the only successful Bangladeshi bowler, with others failing to make a dent.
Earlier in the day, Mohammad Abbas recorded a five-wicket haul (5 for 92) as Pakistan bowled out Bangladesh for 413 early in the second session. Litton Das fell first to Abbas for 33, while Mushfiqur Rahim held firm for a 29th Test half-century (71 off 179 balls) before being clean bowled by Shaheen Afridi after lunch.
Shaheen Afridi wraps up the innings as Saud Shakeel grabs a splendid catch in the slips 👏
Mohammad Abbas claims a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh are bowled out for 413 🏏#BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/7IRrHH0Dmh
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 9, 2026
Abbas removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10), Taijul Islam (17), and Ebadot Hossain (duck), while Taskin Ahmed (28 off 19 balls) and Nahid Rana added useful lower-order runs. Shaheen Afridi finished with three wickets, while Hasan Ali and Noman Ali claimed one each.
On day one, Bangladesh had dominated through skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (101) and Mominul Haque (91), who rebuilt from 31 for 2 to push the total past 200. Abbas broke the 100-run stand by dismissing Shanto, and Noman Ali removed Mominul before Mushfiqur and Litton Das guided the hosts past 300 by stumps.
