Babar Azam Battles After Taskin and Mehidy Rock Pakistan in Sylhet Test
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Pakistan Wobble in Sylhet After Bangladesh’s Power Play
After a gritty recovery on Day 1, Pakistan’s momentum crumbled on the second morning of the Sylhet Test as Bangladesh’s pace and spin duo, Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, ripped through the visiting top order. At lunch, Pakistan stood at 96 for 4, still trailing by 182 runs despite Babar Azam‘s composed 37* at the crease.
Taskin Strikes Early, Shoriful Applies Pressure
The tone was set in the second over of the day when Taskin Ahmed found sharp movement away from Abdullah Fazal, who edged behind to wicketkeeper Litton Das diving low to his left. The early breakthrough energized the home side, and Shoriful Islam—returning after an 18-month absence—immediately began troubling Azan Awais with nagging length and angle, repeatedly beating the outside edge.
Taskin capitalized on the pressure, striking again when Awais attempted to drive a fullish delivery that hurried across him. The ball kissed the inside edge and looped to short midwicket, where a fielder pouched the catch. Pakistan had slumped to 48 for 3—just when stability was needed most.
Mehidy Miraz Breaks the Resistance
After a brief 45-minute consolidation led by Babar and captain Shan Masood, Mehidy Hasan Miraz returned to the attack and delivered a double blow. In his very first over, Mehidy induced Masood into a back-foot punch that lacked timing and direction. Substitute fielder Nayeem Hasan held a simple catch at cover after the captain made 21.
Moments later, Saud Shakeel—still searching for form after a poor outing in Dhaka—top-edged an aggressive sweep shot off Mehidy. Litton Das made no mistake behind the stumps, completing his dismissal for just eight runs. It was a familiar story for Shakeel, who added to his struggles with a duck and 15 in the previous Test.
Babar Holds the Fort
With Salman Agha on 6*, Babar Azam remains the last line of resistance. His unbeaten 37 offers a glimmer of hope, but the task ahead is monumental. Pakistan trails by 182 with six wickets in hand, and Bangladesh’s bowlers are brimming with confidence.
Litton’s Heroics Set the Stage
Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 278 was built around a brilliant 126 from Litton Das—his third century against Pakistan and sixth overall. Arriving at 116 for 6, Litton played a lone hand, anchoring a 162-run contribution across the seventh, eighth, and ninth wickets. He found support from Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam, who collectively faced 87 balls to extend the innings.
His knock, laced with 16 fours and two sixes, transformed potential collapse into a competitive total. Meanwhile, Khurram Shahzad impressed with 4 for 81, and Mohammad Abbas picked up 3 for 45 to ensure Pakistan’s bowlers weren’t entirely overpowered.
What Lies Ahead
With the pitch now offering turn and variable bounce, Bangladesh’s spinners are expected to dominate the afternoon session. Pakistan must rely on Babar to anchor a deep rebuild, but the pressure is mounting. Taskin and Mehidy have already sent a strong message: this Sylhet surface favors the home side, and capitalizing on early opportunities has placed them firmly in control.
Can Babar defy the odds? Or will Bangladesh push for a series-equalling victory before the match turns? The afternoon session promises high drama in what’s rapidly becoming a pivotal Test encounter.
