DHAKA: Captain Babar Azam and middle-order batter Azahar Ali took Pakistan to solidity against Bangladesh before bad light forced early stumps on the first day of the second Test in Dhaka on Saturday.
Play did not resume after the tea break, with Pakistan, who chose to bat, on 161-2 as Babar Azam hit an unbeaten 60 off 99 balls. Number three Azhar Ali was accompanying Azam on 36 not out when play was suspended.
The duo put on 91 runs in their unbroken third-wicket stand after Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam removed both openers in the morning session.
Earlier, both openers Abdullah Shafique and Abid Ali gave Pakistan yet another 50-run opening stand but the former failed to capitalise on the advantage and fell prey to a great bit of bowling from Taijul Islam. He departed after making 25 runs.
Similar to Abdullah, Taijul Islam also trapped Abid Ali and the opener played a false cut short as the ball crashed into his stumps. Abid Ali managed to put 39 runs on the board before returning to the pavilion.
At tea, Pakistan’s total stood at 161/2 with Babar Azam unbeaten on 60 whereas Azhar Ali was not out on 36. The play was not possible after the tea due to bad light. Umpires had an inspection but decided to close the proceedings on day one.
Pakistan lead the two-Test series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Chittagong by eight wickets. The visitors fielded an unchanged squad from the first Test while Bangladesh handed Mahmudul Hasan a Test debut and brought in Shakib Al Hasan and Khaled Ahmed in three changes to the team.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (captain), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Sajid Khan
Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan, Najmul Hossain, Mominul Haque (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed
Umpires: Michael Gough (ENG), Sharfuddoula (BAN) TV Umpire: Gazi Sohel (BAN) Match Referee: Neeyamur Rashid (BAN)
