Bangladesh take 46-run first innings lead

Bangladesh took a 46-run first innings lead after bowling Pakistan out for 232 in 57.4 overs on the second day of the second and final Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Taijul Islam and Nahid Rana took three wickets each to put the hosts firmly in control.

Babar Azam, returning from a knee injury that kept him out of the first Test, top-scored for Pakistan with 68 off 84 balls, striking 10 fours in an assured knock that briefly threatened to swing the momentum Pakistan's way. 

But Rana produced a brilliant slower ball to deceive the star batter into a mistimed lofted drive to mid-on, where Mushfiqur Rahim took a simple catch to end a 63-run fifth-wicket stand with Salman Ali Agha.

Taijul then ran through Pakistan's middle and lower order with three wickets in a superb display of left-arm spin. He removed Salman for 21, bowled Rizwan through the gate with a sharp arm ball for 13, and had Hasan Ali caught at mid-on attempting a slog sweep for 18.

Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz bagged two wickets each, with Taskin removing both overnight openers early on the second morning. Abdullah Fazal edged behind to Litton Kumar Das for nine off just the second over of the day, and Azan Awais followed for 13, caught at short leg by Mominul Haque off a late-swinging delivery.

Miraz contributed well in the first session, dismissing captain Shan Masood for 21 — caught brilliantly by substitute fielder Nayeem Hasan at short cover — before removing Saud Shakeel for eight caught behind.

Pakistan threatened to reduce the deficit late in the day when Sajid Khan struck three sixes in a single Taijul over before being caught behind off Rana for a cameo 38 off 28 balls — the catch taken by debutant Tanzid Hasan Tamim diving forward at short leg. Khurram Shahzad fell for 10, pulled to short leg off Rana, while Mohammad Abbas remained unbeaten on nought as Pakistan's innings ended.

Bangladesh, leading by 46 runs, will look to bat Pakistan out of the match in their second innings with overcast conditions expected to continue in Sylhet.