Tigers ride on driving seat: Joy hits half-century

Bangladesh Cricket team rode on the driving seat after scoring 110 for the loss of three wickets on Day 2 of the second Test against Pakistan Cricket team at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy knocked a marvelous 52.

His 64-ball innings was ornamented with 10 fours. It was Joy’s sixth half-century in his career of Test cricket.

Tigers piled up a satisfactory 278 in the first innings on the first day (Saturday).

In reply, Pakistan scored 232 in the first innings (Sunday).
Bangladesh led by 156 runs.

Pakistan resumed their first innings with the over-night score of 21 for the loss of none.

Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal resumed their first innings with the over-night score of 13 and eight runs respectively.

Abdullah Fazal could add just one run on the second day as he (9) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Litton Das off Taskin Ahmed when the touring side’s score was just 22.

Taskin Ahmed struck again as Azan Awais (13) was caught at the short leg by Mominul Haque off right-arm pacer when Pakistan’s total was 23 for the loss of two wickets.

One-down Shan Masood and second-down Babar Azam put on together 38 runs for the third wicket partnership before Shan Masood (21) was caught at the short cover by substitute Nayeem Hasan off Mahidy Hasan Miraz when the visitors’ score was 61 for the loss of three wickets.

Miraz hit again as third-down Saud Shakeel (8) was caught behind by Litton Das off right-arm spinner when Pakistan’s total was 79 for the loss of four wickets.

Babar and Salman Agha added together 63 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Babar was caught at the mid-on by Maushfiqur Rahim off Nahid Rana when the tourists’ score was 142 for the loss of five wickets.

Babar notched up a superb 68. His 84-ball innings was laced with 10 fours.

After Babar’s dismissal, Pakistan lost their wickets in regular intervals.

Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam played the key role to wrap up the rest of the Pakistani batters. Sajid Khan only fought back making 38 from 28 deliveries featuring four sixes and two fours.

Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam grabbed three wickets each in the space of 60 and 67 runs respectively, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taskin Ahmed bagged a pair of wickets each instead of 21 and 37 runs respectively.

Later, Bangladesh had a painful start as debutante opener Tanzid Hasan (4) was caught at the gully by Saud Shakeel off Khurram Shahzad when the home side’s total was only 15.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque mended the innings contributing together 76 runs for the second wicket partnership before Mahmudul Hasan Joy was caught at the deep square leg by Abdullah Fazal off Mohammad Abbas when Bangladesh’s score was 91 for the loss of two wickets.

Mominul Haque was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off Khurram Shahzad when the second day play came to an end.

Mominul Haque hit a patient 30. His 60-ball innings had three fours.
Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten with 13 runs.

Khurram Shahzad bagged two wickets in lieu of 19 runs, while Mohammad Abbas picked up one wicket conceding 29 runs.