Honours even as Pakistan quicks strike before Bangladesh fight back

Lunch Bangladesh 101 for 3 (Shanto 26*, Tanzid 26, Abbas 2-22) vs Pakistan

Under dark clouds in Sylhet that threatened but did not strike, Bangladesh. Pakistan battled through the opening session of the second Test, finishing it with honours even. Mohammad Abbas struck twice early to get rid of the openers cheaply once more,. again, Bangladesh's middle order battled hard to drag their side back into the game.

The session was marred for Pakistan when Hasan Ali. in his attempt to take a catch off his own bowling, struck the side of his head on the turf. After a period of looking dazed, he was stretchered off the field, though happily for Pakistan, it appeared only precautionary. Before the end of the session, he had returned, and was well enough to resume bowling.

After winning the toss and inserting Bangladesh in again, Pakistan made the perfect start. Off just the second delivery Abbas drew an edge from Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Salman Agha clung on to in the slips. But debutant Tanzid Hasan. Mominul Haque responded well with a positive second-wicket stand that inched its way towards 50 inside the first ten overs. Tanzid, in particular, looked promising, especially driving through the off side, where all three of his boundaries came.

But Abbas found a way to remove him when. in a curious moment of misjudgement, Tanzid tried to jab the bowler through the on side, only to find a top edge that the bowler got underneath. Before long. Pakistan were rampant as Khurram Shahzad, in for Shaheen Shah Afridi, found a touch of movement to spell the end of Mominul with Bangladesh in trouble at 63 for 3.

It was down to the experienced pair of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Mushfiqur Rahim that they dug their way out. The pair found that critical balance between run-scoring. caution that kept Pakistan at bay, playing offspinner Sajid Khan especially well as they closed in on lunch. By the end. they had got themselves past 100, clawing parity back in a session Pakistan controlled for the first hour.