Bangladesh national cricket team wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das scored a brilliant counterattack century to rescue his team after being dismissed early on the opening day of the second and final Test against Pakistan national cricket team on Saturday.

Liton scored 126 runs off just 159 balls with 16 fours and two sixes, as Bangladesh were bowled out for 278 after a poor start in their first innings.

Pakistan then negotiated safely six overs before stumps, scoring 21 runs without loss and trailing by 257 runs at the end of play.

Apart from Liton, no Bangladesh batsman managed to cross the 30-run mark, underscoring the pressure created by Pakistan’s disciplined pace attack throughout the day.

Bain vs Pak. Second Test: Highlights from day one

Khurram Shahzad, who was brought into the team in place of Shaheen Shah Afridi, bowled brilliantly for Pakistan and took 4 wickets for 81 runs. Experienced fast bowler Mohammad Abbas provided excellent support and took 3 wickets for 45 runs.

Hasan Ali, who suffered an injury early in the innings after falling awkwardly in his opening over, later returned to the field and took 2 for 49, including the prized wicket of Liton Das.

Pakistan got off to a great start after captain Shan Masood won the toss and decided to bowl first. Abbas dismissed Mahmudul Hasan for zero on the second ball of the innings.

Debutant Tanzeed Hasan coped with the pressure briefly with a lively innings of 26 runs. The left-handed batsman played some attractive strokes, including a cover drive off Abbas, before also defeating Khurram Shahzad.

However, Tanjeed gave a return catch to Hasan Ali in the eighth over. While completing the catch, Pakistan’s fast bowler got injured and had to be immediately taken off the field.

Tanzeed’s dismissal ended a 44-run partnership with Mominul Haq, who was bowled by Shehzad for 22, leaving Bangladesh at 63 for 3.

Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who came into the match after scores of 101 and 87 in the first Test, tried to stabilize the innings along with the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim. But Abbas broke the stand by dismissing Shanto for 29 runs.

Khurram Shahzad then started another collapse by dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim for 23 and Mehdi Hasan in quick succession, reducing Bangladesh to 116 for 6.

At that stage, Liton Das launched a remarkable rescue effort.

The wicketkeeper-batsman stitched a valuable 60-run partnership with Taijul Islam for the seventh wicket and gradually shifted the momentum back in favor of Bangladesh.

Liton completed his half-century in 93 balls before accelerating brilliantly. He brought up his sixth Test century off 135 balls with a brilliant backfoot punch through cover and received applause from the crowd.

His aggressive approach ensured that Bangladesh remained competitive despite frequent setbacks.

After this, Pakistan openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal performed safely in the last overs of the day and remained unbeaten on 13 and 8 runs respectively.

Pakistan’s leading batsman Babar Azam has also returned to the team for the second Test after missing the opening match due to a left knee injury.

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