Litton Das played a resolute innings of 126 runs to steer Bangladesh out of trouble after a top-order collapse, enabling the hosts to post 278 in their first innings on the opening day of the second and final Test against Pakistan in Sylhet on Saturday.
Pakistan's reply
In response, Pakistan reached 21 without loss at stumps, with Azan Awais on 13 and Abdullah Fazal on 8.
Litton's heroic knock
Batting at number six, Litton struck 16 fours and two sixes in his 159-ball innings, recording his sixth Test century. He came to the crease when Bangladesh were struggling at 116 for 6 after lunch.
The right-hander first added 60 runs for the seventh wicket with Taijul Islam, who made 16 off 114 balls. Litton brought up his fifty off 93 balls and then reached his century in just 42 more deliveries, driving Khurram Shahzad through the covers for four and then hitting the next ball for six.
He later shared a crucial 64-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Shoriful Islam, who contributed 73 balls to the cause.
Bangladesh's top-order collapse
Pakistan, trailing 1-0 in the two-match series after losing the first Test in Mirpur by 104 runs, opted to bowl first. The decision paid off immediately as opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy was dismissed for a duck off the second ball of the match, edging Mohammad Abbas to second slip.
Debutant Tanzid Hasan looked aggressive, scoring 26 off 34 balls with three boundaries, but he threw his wicket away attempting an ambitious pull shot off Abbas, who took the catch off his own bowling. Mominul Haque was bowled by Khurram Shahzad for 22.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim briefly steadied the innings with a 43-run stand, but both fell after lunch. Shanto edged Abbas behind for 29, Mushfiqur was trapped lbw for 23, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz was caught at deep fine leg for four, leaving Bangladesh at 116 for 6.
Lower-order resistance
Litton found support from the lower order, adding 38 with Taskin Ahmed and the vital 64 with Shoriful Islam. After Litton's dismissal, the tailenders managed to push the total past 270.
"The most important thing in this innings is that Taijul, Taskin and Shoriful all batted well and faced a lot of balls," Litton said.
Missed reviews
Pakistan missed two review opportunities when replays showed faint edges off Mushfiqur and Litton that went unchallenged by captain Shan Masood. "We were getting wickets early on. Unluckily, we missed a couple of reviews," said Shahzad. "If we had gotten them out there, the situation would have been completely different."
