Pakistan stumble early after restricting Bangladesh to 262

Pakistan's hopes of a strong start to their second innings on the third day of the second test match against Bangladesh being played at Rawalpindi Stadium were dashed as guest fast bowler Hasan dismissed both Abdullah Shafique and night watchman Khurram Shahzad in quick succession, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

Saim Ayub remained unbeaten on six as Pakistan faced an uphill battle heading into Day 4.

Earlier, Bangladesh's batting revolved around a remarkable performance by Litton Das, who played a gritty and determined knock, almost single-handedly guiding his team to a total of 262.

 Coming in at a perilous 26-6, Litton's innings was a masterclass in resilience and skill, as he notched up a century and scored 138 runs off 228 deliveries, including 13 boundaries and four towering sixes.

Litton found an able partner in Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who contributed 78 runs in a 165-run partnership that revived Bangladesh's innings from a disastrous start.

The duo's partnership frustrated the Pakistani bowlers, who had reduced the hosts to 26-6 with a fiery spell from Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza.

Khurram was the standout performer with the ball for Pakistan, claiming six wickets for 90 runs, while Mir Hamza and Salman Ali Agha took two wickets each.

The third day began with Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan at the crease, but they could not withstand the fiery pace of Khurram Shahzad. The Pakistani pacer struck early, removing Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam in quick succession. He then went on to dismiss Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, leaving the hosts in deep trouble.

Mir Hamza added to Bangladesh's woes by dismissing Mominul Haque, while Khurram returned to take the wickets of veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, reducing Bangladesh to a precarious 26-6.

 However, Litton and Mehidy turned the tide with their counter-attacking partnership, which saw them add 165 runs for the seventh wicket. Mehidy’s defiant knock of 78 came to an end when he was caught and bowled by Khurram, and Taskin Ahmed followed soon after, falling to Khurram on the stroke of Tea.

 Bangladesh eventually folded for 262, a score that seemed unlikely after their top-order collapse. In response, Pakistan’s second innings started disastrously as Hasan Mahmud struck twice, leaving the visitors in a precarious position at the close of play.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza,  Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad.