In a gripping Day 3 session of the first Test in Dhaka, Pakistan debutant Azan Awais announced his arrival with a stunning century, only for Bangladesh to wrest back control with a spirited fightback. The visitors reached 251-5 at lunch, setting the stage for an enthralling contest.

Awais, just the 15th Pakistani to score a century on Test debut, crafted a masterful 103 off 165 balls, peppered with 14 boundaries. His innings was a blend of patience and flair, as he began the day fluently, driving two fours in the first four overs to move to 99. A gentle nudge off Nahid Rana to point brought up his milestone off 153 balls, a moment that will be etched in cricketing memory.

However, Bangladesh's response was swift and decisive. Pacer Taskin Ahmed, claiming his 50th Test wicket, dismissed Awais to end a brilliant knock. Taskin, now only the third Bangladeshi pacer after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain Rajib to reach this milestone, followed up by sending back captain Shan Masood, triggering a mini-collapse that saw Pakistan lose three wickets for just four runs.

Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz was equally impactful, finishing the session with 3-61. He claimed the key wicket of debutant Abdullah Fazal, who had earlier compiled a solid 60, further tightening Bangladesh's grip. At the break, Salman Agha (12 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (8 not out) were tasked with rebuilding.

The match has been a rollercoaster, with Bangladesh's first-innings total of 413—anchored by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto's sublime 101 off 130 balls and Mominul Haque's resilient 91—setting a strong foundation. Now, with Pakistan trailing by 162 runs and five wickets in hand, the Test hangs in the balance, promising more drama in the sessions to come.