Litton Das Century Rescues Bangladesh in Second Test vs Pakistan

A Resilient Fightback at the Crease

The opening day of the second and final Test match between Bangladesh and Pakistan proved to be a roller-coaster of momentum shifts. With the hosts struggling against a disciplined Pakistan pace attack, wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das emerged as the savior, crafting a sublime century to steer Bangladesh to a respectable total of 278 all out. By the close of play, Pakistan had safely negotiated six overs, finishing at 21 without loss and trailing by 257 runs.

Early Struggles Against Disciplined Bowling

The day began under difficult circumstances for Bangladesh after Pakistan won the toss and elected to field. The decision immediately paid dividends when Muhammad Abbas struck on just the second ball of the innings, dismissing Mahmudul Hasan for a duck. Tanzid Hasan, making his Test debut, showed flashes of promise with a crisp cover-driven boundary, but his stay was short-lived, as he departed for 26 after a return catch to Abbas. The pressure intensified when veteran Mominul Haque was bowled by Khurram Shahzad for 22, leaving the hosts reeling at 63-3.

The Middle-Order Collapse

Despite a promising start to the partnership between Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, the Pakistan bowlers remained relentless. Abbas broke the resistance by dismissing Shanto for 29, followed by a double-blow from Shahzad, who accounted for both Mushfiqur (23) and Mehidy Hasan. At 116-6, Bangladesh appeared to be sliding toward a sub-200 total, highlighting the team’s vulnerability against the moving ball.

Litton Das: The Architect of the Recovery

It was here that Litton Das stepped into the spotlight. Known for his elegant stroke play, Das played a masterclass in controlled aggression. He shared a crucial 60-run partnership with Taijul Islam, which provided the foundation for the latter half of the innings. Das reached his half-century off 93 balls, but it was his acceleration thereafter that truly defined the day. He accelerated to his sixth Test century in just 135 balls, eventually finishing with 126 runs off 159 balls, adorned with 16 boundaries and two towering sixes.

Reflecting on his approach, Das noted, “When Taijul came in, our score was around 116-6. My target was how to take the team to 200, I was not thinking about a century. I sent a message asking whether I should attack or not. The feedback was to keep scoring runs, and so I attacked after 50.”

Pakistan’s Bowling Effort

Pakistan’s pace battery, led by the impressive Khurram Shahzad, ensured that the Bangladesh tail did not wag for long. Shahzad finished with figures of 4-81, filling the void left by Shaheen Shah Afridi with clinical precision. Muhammad Abbas was equally effective, claiming 3-45. Hasan Ali, who briefly left the field after an awkward fall in his opening over, returned to contribute 2-49, notably securing the crucial wicket of Litton Das.

Reflecting on the missed opportunities in the field, Shahzad admitted, “Litton Das, as I said before, he was lucky today. Not one, but two chances were created. So, if those had been taken, the result could have been totally different. Maybe they would have been bowled out under 200.”

Looking Ahead

As the sun set on the opening day, Pakistan openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal successfully navigated the tricky final session. With Babar Azam back in the fold following his recovery from a knee injury, the visitors will look to build a significant first-innings lead. However, for Bangladesh, the century from Litton Das serves as a vital psychological boost, proving that the pitch offers opportunities for batters who are willing to apply themselves. The stage is set for a gripping second day in Sylhet, with both teams eager to seize control of the series finale.