DHAKA: Batting first, Pakistan looked comfortably placed at 161 for two wickets on day one of the second Test match against Bangladesh.
Registering a comprehensive win in the first Test match, Pakistan looked to continue the winning streak as they took on Bangladesh in the second and final Test match of the series at Shere Bangla National Stadium.
Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first as Abdullah Shafique and Abid Ali once again opened the innings for Pakistan.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed two wickets for 28 runs to reduce Pakistan to 78-2 at lunch on the opening day of the second Test on Saturday.
After winning the toss, Pakistan made a good start and appeared to be heading towards a big total when Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique brought up a 50-run partnership in the first hour.
But Taijul broke the 59-run partnership, denying the pair’s third century-opening stand as his straight delivery rattled the stump of Shafique on 25.
After his 133 and 91 in the first Test, Abid also appeared set for another big score but fell for 39 before Taijul again struck with a straight delivery that didn’t turn as much as he expected.
Following lunch break, both premier batsmen dug deep and put on and put on a 91-run partnership stand till the tea session was called. Babar Azam raced to his 19th half-century while Azhar Ali supported him from the other end.
At tea, Captain Babar Azam was batting on 60 with Azahar Ali on 36Â after surviving several tricky moments early in the day.
Bangladesh earlier made three changes, including a debut cap to Mahmudul Hasan. Pakistan, which won the first Test by eight wickets, named an unchanged side.
