Published: 10:40 AM, 17 May 2026 Last Update: 10:47 AM, 17 May 2026
Litton ton leads Bangladesh fightback against Pakistan in second Test
While Litton stood tall with an unbeaten 126 off 159 balls, the day so far belonged to Pakistan's disciplined pace attack, which relentlessly exploited the conditions. -Facebook
Bangladesh survived a dramatic batting meltdown to post a satisfying 278 in their first innings on Day 1 of the second and final Test against Pakistan national cricket team at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
While Litton stood tall with an unbeaten 126 off 159 balls, the day so far belonged to Pakistan's disciplined pace attack, which relentlessly exploited the conditions.
Mohammad Abbas and KhurramShahzad ran through Bangladesh's batting spine, routinely triggering collapses just as partnerships threatened to develop.
The afternoon session turned into a nightmare for the hosts as their steady pre-lunch position evaporated. Abbas broke a grinding 38-run stand by producing a beautiful, curving delivery to dismiss captain NajmulHossainShanto (29), tracking a faint edge to Mohammad Rizwan.
The wicket marked a personal milestone for Abbas, registering his 100th Test wicket outside Pakistan.
Shahzad then took control from the other end. He trapped the veteran Mushfiqur Rahim lbw for 23 via an umpire's call review, before bouncing out MehidyHasanMiraz (4) just two overs later.
Miraz's reckless hook flew straight to deep fine leg, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 116-6 after losing three crucial wickets for just ten runs.
Stepping up under immense pressure, Litton single-handedly altered the momentum of the final session. He anchored small but vital lower-order partnerships, first putting on 60 runs with Taijul Islam (16) and later finding support from Shoriful Islam (5*). Litton accelerated effortlessly in the evening heat, smashing 13 boundaries and a six to bring up his hundred in 135 deliveries.
Pakistan's seamers quickly neutralized the lower order whenever Litton exposed them. Sajid Khan cleaned up Taijul with an arm ball, and Shahzad returned to claim Taskin Ahmed (7) via a slip catch, securing his fourth wicket of the innings (4-81).
Mohammad Abbas finished with three wickets for 45 runs while Hasan Ali bagged two wickets.
Earlier, fast bowler Mohammad Abbas struck with just the second ball of the innings after Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to bowl first, dismissing MahmudulHasan Joy for a duck.
Debutant TanzidHasanTamim then counterattacked to ease the early pressure, driving Abbas through the covers for a boundary before treating pacer KhurramShahzad in disdain.
His aggressive batting also produced some chances for Pakistan. Pacer Hasan Ali suffered an awkward fall while taking a return catch chance offered by Tanzid and had to leave the field immediately.
Tanzid's fluent knock ended on 26 when he top-edged a short delivery back to Abbas, who completed a return catch, breaking a 44-run partnership with MominulHaque.
Mominul, who struck half-centuries in both innings of the opening Test, was later bowled by Shahzad for 22 as Bangladesh slipped to 63-3.
Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim then steered Bangladesh through the torrid session with serenity, keeping Pakistan bowlers at bay.
Aiming to seal its second straight series sweep against Pakistan, Bangladesh made two changes to the squad.
The hosts handed a debut to TanzidHasanTamim, after opener Shadman Islam was ruled out of the game following a chest injury, sustained during the first Test.
Tanzid, a successful white-ball cricketer, was chosen ahead of ZakirHasan, who was called up into the squad after Shadman was injured.
Bangladesh also left out pacer EbadotHossain to accommodate Shoriful Islam into the playing XI.
Bangladesh are leading the two-match series 1-0 following their crushing 104-run victory in the opening Test.
Line Ups:
Bangladesh: MahmudulHasan Joy, TanzidHasanTamim, NajmulHossainShanto(captain), MominulHaque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, MehidyHasanMiraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, NahidRana.
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Abdullah Fazal, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, KhurramShahzad, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
