Ban vs Pak: Babar, Azhar, and Abid Show resilience after early wickets

Web Desk — After a bad light situation on Saturday caused the final session of the second Test against Bangladesh at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium to be abandoned, Pakistan were 161-2 at stumps.

After the tea break, the play did not resume, with Pakistan skipper Babar Azam batting on 60 along with Azhar Ali, 36 not out after left-arm spinner Taijul Islam removed openers Abdullah Shafique (25) and Abid Ali (39).

Bangladesh bowler Mahmudullah’s spin continued to trouble Pakistan batters in the morning session.

With the new ball in slightly overcast conditions, Ali and Shafique put on 146 and 151 runs respectively in two innings of the first Test in Chittagong.

Ali, the man of the match in the first Test, scored six boundaries and dominated the bowlers.

As well, Shafique showed aggression by lifting Taijul for the only six of the morning before the spinners forced Pakistan to slow down.

If the third umpire had not given Azhar the benefit of the doubt, Taijul could have dismissed him.

As Bangladesh reviewed the not-out call from the on-field umpire, it could not overturn the decision since the ultra-edge showed an inconclusive touch of the ball to bat.

After winning the first Test by eight wickets, Pakistan leads the two-match series 1-0.

Pakistan fielded an unchanged team from the first Test while Bangladesh handed Mahmudul Hasan a Test debut and named Shakib Al Hasan and Khaled Ahmed in three changes to their squad.

The opening test was played without Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali and Abu Jayed.