The day began with Pakistan in a comfortable position at 179 for 1, anchored by two young batters who looked remarkably settled for players at the very start of their Test journeys.

The spotlight belonged to Azan Awais, who turned his debut into a statement innings. The young opener crafted a composed century, becoming the 14th Pakistani batter to score a hundred in his very first Test match.

His 103 run knock came off 153 deliveries and carried the kind of patience and shot selection usually associated with far more experienced players.

At the other end, fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal added another layer of assurance with a confident 60, showing calm footwork and maturity under pressure. For a brief period, Pakistan appeared to be steering the match firmly in its favour.

Then came the familiar collapse. The innings lost rhythm quickly after Shan Masood departed for 9. Moments later, Saud Shakeel walked back without scoring, and the innings suddenly shifted from control to recovery mode.

Pakistan’s middle order once again showed flashes rather than permanence. Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan attempted to steady the innings with fighting half centuries, scoring 58 and 59 respectively, but neither could convert their starts into the commanding innings Pakistan desperately needed.

Eventually, the visitors folded for 386, falling 27 runs short of Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413. Bangladesh’s bowling attack kept returning at crucial moments, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz leading the charge through a sharp five-wicket haul. Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed chipped in with two wickets each, ensuring Pakistan never fully broke free.

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh had built their total around a polished century from Najmul Hossain Shanto and valuable contributions from Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim.

For Pakistan, the innings leaves behind a curious feeling encouragement from the next generation, but lingering concern over the fragility of the established middle order.

The match remains finely balanced, yet the sense persists that Pakistan had an opportunity to take control and let it slip through their fingers.