Trailing by 234 runs, Pakistan still have work to do, but the tone of their reply was calm rather than chaotic built on patience, timing, and a partnership that never let Bangladesh settle.
Awais, unbeaten on 85, looked unfazed by the occasion. Alongside Abdullah Fazal, who added a steady 37 not out, he stitched together an unbroken stand that quietly shifted momentum back in Pakistan’s direction.
What began as damage control slowly turned into control of the narrative.
Earlier, openers Imam-ul-Haq and Awais laid a solid foundation, taking Pakistan to 50 without loss by tea. Imam’s 45 came with fluency but ended just short of a milestone, falling to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the lone Bangladeshi bowler to strike with any real consistency.
Once set, Awais switched gears without losing composure. His maiden Test fifty came with a calm raise of the bat no drama, just assurance before the partnership crossed 100 and began to ease pressure off Pakistan’s dressing room.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, will feel they let the game drift. Despite Mehidy’s breakthrough, their attack struggled to sustain pressure as Pakistan’s batting line held firm through the final session.
The match had earlier swung Bangladesh’s way on day one, with centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque setting up a strong total.
But Mohammad Abbas changed the tempo with a sharp five wicket haul, finishing with 5 for 92, while Shaheen Afridi and the rest of the attack wrapped up the innings with discipline.
Now, with two days left and Pakistan still behind, the contest sits delicately balance, but the visitors have done the hardest thing in Test cricket: they’ve stopped the slide and started building their reply. Mirpur has a match on its hands.
