Bangladesh strengthened their grip on the second Test against Pakistan, ending Day 2 at 110 for 3 in their second innings after securing a crucial 46-run first-innings lead at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Having bowled Pakistan out for 232 earlier in the day, the hosts extended their overall lead to 156 runs by stumps, firmly positioning themselves for a potential historic 2-0 series sweep.
Resuming on their overnight score of 21 without loss, Pakistan’s batting line-up found it difficult to counter a disciplined and relentless Bangladeshi attack. The morning session set the tone as pace spearhead Taskin Ahmed struck twice in quick succession, removing openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal to push the visitors onto the back foot.
Although Pakistan skipper Babar Azam attempted to stabilise the innings with a fluent 68 off 84 deliveries, his dismissal triggered another slide. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam once again proved instrumental, ripping through the middle order with three key wickets, including Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, as Bangladesh tightened their hold.
Young pace sensation Nahid Rana then cleaned up the tail with a fiery spell, finishing with figures of 3 for 60. A counterattacking 38 from Sajid Khan delayed the inevitable, but Pakistan were eventually dismissed in 57.4 overs, handing Bangladesh a valuable first-innings cushion.
Earlier, Bangladesh had posted 278 in their first innings, built around a magnificent 126 from Litton Das. His counterattacking century had rescued the side from a precarious 116 for 6 on Day 1 and laid the platform for the current dominance.
With momentum firmly in their favour, Bangladesh began their second innings with confidence. The openers negotiated the new ball steadily before Pakistan struck a couple of times to offer brief hope. However, the hosts maintained control through measured batting and sensible shot selection.
The only blemish on an otherwise commanding day came in the final over, when veteran batter Mominul Haque fell to the last ball before stumps in what appeared an avoidable dismissal. Attempting to force the pace late in the day, Mominul edged a delivery that could perhaps have been negotiated more cautiously, gifting Pakistan a late breakthrough.
Despite that setback, Bangladesh remain firmly in the driver’s seat. With seven wickets in hand and a lead already stretching beyond 150, the Tigers are well placed to bat Pakistan out of the contest on Day 3 and push for a memorable clean sweep on home soil.
Another disciplined bowling display followed by controlled batting has underlined Bangladesh’s authority in Sylhet — and the hosts now stand just two strong sessions away from turning dominance into history.
