Day two of the first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Dhaka brought a dramatic shift in momentum, as Pakistan's disciplined pace attack clawed back into the contest. At lunch, Bangladesh stood at 380-7, a solid but no longer dominant position after a commanding start on the opening day.
The hero of Friday, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, had set the stage with a brilliant century—101 off 130 balls, featuring 12 fours and two sixes—guiding his team to a comfortable 301-4 at stumps. But the second day belonged to Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, who bowled with relentless precision to claim three crucial wickets in the morning session.
Abbas finished the session with figures of 4-73 from 31 overs, dismantling Bangladesh's middle order. Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim stood as the lone warrior, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 71 off 176 balls, including eight boundaries. His gritty knock saw him reach his 29th Test half-century early in the day, and in doing so, he surpassed Tamim Iqbal's record for most 50-plus scores by a Bangladeshi batter—his 42nd such innings.
The day began with promise for Bangladesh, as Mushfiqur guided Shaheen Shah Afridi for a single to raise his fifty. He and Litton Das looked poised to build a formidable partnership, but Abbas produced a beauty to dismiss Das for 33, ending a 62-run stand. The Pakistan pacer then struck twice in quick succession, removing Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10) and Taijul Islam (17) to leave Bangladesh reeling.
With Ebadot Hossain yet to score at the break, Bangladesh's hopes rest firmly on Mushfiqur's shoulders. Both teams entered this Test after a lengthy hiatus from the format—more than five months since their last outings. Pakistan last played a series against South Africa in October, splitting a two-Test series 1-1, while Bangladesh swept Ireland 2-0 in a home series last November.
The second Test is set to begin on May 16 in Sylhet, but for now, all eyes are on whether Mushfiqur can steer Bangladesh to a commanding total or if Abbas and Pakistan's bowlers will continue to tighten the screws.