Sports Reporter :
Pakistan scored 161 runs for the loss of two wickets on day 1 against the hosts Bangladesh in the second Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Saturday.
Pakistan could bat 57 overs only on the first day due to shortage of enough light after deciding to bat first.
Pakistan had a modest start with the two openers Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique put on together 59 runs in the opening stand before Abdullah Shafique (25) was bowled out by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.
After Abdullah Shafique’s dismissal, Abid Ali was bowled out by Taijul Islam when Pakistan’s score was 70 for the loss of two wickets.
Abid Ali made 39 runs from 81 balls featuring six fours.
Abdullah Shafique scored 25 runs from 50 deliveries including two fours and a sixer.
After Abid Ali’s departure, one-down Azhar Ali and second-down Babar Azam added together 91 runs for the third wicket partnership before the bails were drawn for the first day due to shortage of sufficient light.
Azhar Ali remained unbeaten with 36 runs, while Babar Azam remained unbeaten with 60 runs.
Azhar Ali hit four fours in his 112-ball innings.
Babar Azam struck seven fours and a sixer in his 99-ball knock.
Babar Azam reached his 19th Test fifty-run landmark playing 75 deliveries with seven boundaries and one over boundaries.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the day’s most successful bowler. He finished his superb spell as 17-5-49-2.
The first day’s play was halted several times due to light rain and shortage of enough light. After checking the light readings, the two umpires called off the last session of the day as the shortage of enough light wiped out the entire last session.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy of Bangladesh made his debut on the first day (Saturday) of the second Test. Joy, the right-arm opener will open Bangladesh’s innings with the left-arm opener Shadman Islam. Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, pacer Khaled Ahmed included in the squad of Bangladesh for the second Test.