DHAKA: Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas struck three times in the morning session to put Bangladesh under pressure, but veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim held firm as the hosts reached 380-7 at lunch on the second day of the opening Test in Dhaka on Saturday.
Resuming their innings at 301-4 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh lost key wickets early after Abbas produced a disciplined spell with the ball. Litton Das was dismissed for 33 before Abbas removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 10 and Taijul Islam for 17 to reduce the hosts to 380-7 by the lunch interval.
Mushfiqur Rahim anchored the innings with an unbeaten 71 off 176 deliveries, registering his 29th Test half-century and continuing Bangladesh’s resistance despite regular breakthroughs.
Bangladesh had ended the opening day strongly at 301-4, driven by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s century and a solid contribution from Mominul Haque. Pakistan’s bowlers, however, returned with greater control on the second morning, with Abbas leading the attack through accurate seam bowling and sustained pressure.
At lunch, Ebadot Hossain was unbeaten at the crease alongside Rahim as Bangladesh looked to push beyond the 400-run mark in the first innings of the two-match Test series.