BAN vs PAK, Mirpur Test, Day 2: Debutant Azan Awais leads Pakistan's strong reply after Mohmmad Abbas' five-wicket haul

Mohammad Abbas helped Pakistan make a resounding comeback on day two of the ongoing Mirpur Test against Bangladesh and claimed a five-for. Abbas' spell foiled Bangladesh's plan of posting a total in excess of 500.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das resumed their innings with caution and added 37 runs to Bangladesh's overnight score of 301 before Abbas removed Das. It put an end to the 62-run stand between Rahim and Das and opened the floodgates.

Abbas then dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam in quick succession to leave Rahim looking desperate for a partner at the other end. Rahim, too, didn't last very long and was cleaned up by Shaheen Shah Afridi for 71.

Taskin Ahmed brought the crowd to life with a quickfire 28 off 19 deliveries, including three fours and a six, before Shaheen got rid of him to limit Bangladesh to 413.

Pakistan came out with a new opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq and debutant Azan Awais and made the most out of the batting conditions on offer, avoiding risk-induced strokeplay.

Awais had a baptism of fire moment when the left-hander was hit flush on the helmet on Nahid Rana's first ball of the opening spell. Awais was beaten for pace and looked visibly rattled by the blow. The physio ran out immediately to check on him, and the southpaw was declared fit to resume his innings.

The left-handed duo added 106 runs for the opening wicket, thereby providing a solid foundation for the batters to follow. More importantly, they were able to keep the Bangladesh bowlers frustrated, who had come in with exuberance on the field after a solid batting display.

Imam fell five short of his fifty as he missed an innocuous ball from Mehidy and was trapped in front of his stumps. Despite losing his partner, Awais kept his composure and registered his maiden fifty. He added a valuable 73-run partnership for the second wicket with fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal and helped Pakistan finish day two with 179/1 on the board.

Imam-ul-Haq departs! Trapped lbw by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Sharp bowling and right on target 🎯🔥 pic.twitter.com/bb3rezFyXY

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) May 9, 2026

Awais played a very measured and watchful innings, scoring 12 fours. He is unbeaten on 85 and would be eyeing his maiden international ton on Sunday morning. Fazal, meanwhile, also played well within himself and is batting on 37 off 78 balls, including six fours.