Litton century drags Tigers to 278 after top-order collapse

Litton Kumar Das struck a magnificent century to rescue Bangladesh from a perilous top-order collapse as the hosts posted 278 in 77 overs in their first innings on the opening day of the second and final Test against Pakistan at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Litton, batting at number six, produced an innings of remarkable composure and skill under pressure, striking 16 fours and two sixes in his 159-ball knock — his sixth Test century and third against Pakistan — to drag Bangladesh from a desperate 116 for six to a competitive total.

Pakistan, batting under fading lights, made a steady start to their reply, reaching 21 without loss from six overs at stumps.

Azan Awais was unbeaten on 13 and Abdullah Fazal on eight, with the visitors trailing by 257 runs after a gripping first day's play.

The day began disastrously for the hosts.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell for a duck off just the second ball of the match, edging Mohammad Abbas to second slip — his eighth duck in 40 Test innings.

Debutant Tanzid Hasan Tamim made a bright start, striking three boundaries in a fluent 26 off 34 balls, but threw his wicket away attempting an ambitious shot off Abbas, who took the catch off his own bowling.

Mominul Haque was cleaned up for 22 by Khurram Shahzad, and while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship with a 43-run stand, both fell in a disastrous post-lunch spell that saw the Tigers lose three wickets for just 15 runs.

Shanto edged Abbas behind for 29, Mushfiq departed for 23 on umpire's call after reviewing a leg before wicket decision, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz was caught at deep fine leg for four hooking Shahzad — leaving Bangladesh reeling at 116 for six.

What followed was a masterclass in lower-order resistance.

Litton first added 60 runs with Taijul Islam off 114 balls for the seventh wicket before Sajid Khan bowled Taijul for 16.

Litton then brought up his fifty off 93 deliveries and his century off 135, reaching three figure with a cover drive off Shahzad before hitting the next ball for six.

He added 38 with Taskin Ahmed and a crucial 64 with Shoriful Islam off 65 balls for the ninth wicket before Bangladesh were bowled out for 278.

Pakistan missed two review opportunities that could have cut short Litton's innings — replays showed faint edges off both Mushfiq and Litton that went unchallenged by captain Shan Masood.

Shahzad was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 81, while Abbas claimed three for 45, in the process becoming the first Pakistan bowler to take 100 Test wickets away from home soil.

Hasan Ali — who remarkably returned to bowl after leaving the field on a stretcher with a head injury in the first session — claimed two wickets, while Sajid Khan toiled through 31 overs for just one wicket at the cost of 96 runs.