Bangladesh rode on a magnificent century from Liton Das to recover from a top-order collapse and post a fighting 278 in the first innings of the second and final Test against the Pakistan national cricket team at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Resuming after lunch at 101-3, Bangladesh suffered a dramatic slide as they lost three wickets for just 15 runs to slump to 116-6. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto fell for 29, Mushfiqur Rahim was trapped lbw for 23, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz departed cheaply as Pakistan’s seamers tightened the screws.
Khurram Shahzad (4-81) and Mohammad Abbas (3-45) exploited helpful conditions under overcast skies, leaving the hosts staring at a modest total. But Liton had other ideas.
The wicketkeeper-batter produced one of his finest Test knocks, crafting a superb 126 off 159 balls, laced with 16 boundaries and two sixes. It was his sixth Test century and third against Pakistan. More importantly, it was an innings of calculation and composure. Liton shielded the tail expertly, reportedly refusing several easy singles to keep strike, particularly while batting with Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam.
Liton raised his half-century off 93 balls and accelerated thereafter, bringing up his hundred in 135 deliveries with a crisp boundary. His 60-run stand with Taijul steadied the innings, while a brisk 50-run ninth-wicket partnership with Shoriful ensured Bangladesh surged past 250 — a scenario that looked improbable earlier in the day.
Taijul (16), Taskin (7) and Shoriful (12 not out) provided valuable support before Liton finally fell as the ninth wicket at 278.
Bangladesh were bowled out in 77 overs at a run rate of 3.61, setting up an intriguing final session with their pace trio eyeing early breakthroughs on a pitch still promising assistance for seamers.