DAY 2: Bangladesh 27-0 in first test after Rizwan and Shakeel hit hundreds

Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel knocked brilliant centuries to guide Pakistan to an imposing 448-6 declared before Bangladesh closed the second day on 27-0 in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Bangladesh had pushed Pakistan on the backfoot on day one but it was Shakeel who repaired the innings with Saim Ayub (56) through a 98-run fourth wicket stand before another 240 runs were added for the next with Rizwan as Pakistan blunted Bangladesh's attack.

Rizwan, who hit three sixes and 11 boundaries in a 239-ball knock, added a quick 44 with Shaheen Shah Afridi who smacked two sixes and a boundary in a blistering 29 not out.

That allowed Pakistan to declare their first innings 78-minutes after tea.

Bangladesh failed to get a wicket in the first session as Rizwan and Shakeel batted superbly to help Pakistan reach 256-4 at lunch.

Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz ended Bangladesh's frustrating wait for the wicket, luring Shakeel out of the crease as wicketkeeper Litton Das removed the bails, ending a brilliant 261-ball knock.

Bangladesh trail by 421 runs at the end of Day Two of the first Test 🏏#PAKvBAN | #TestOnHai pic.twitter.com/Nwf9Yde5Ei

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 22, 2024

Shakeel also scored his third test century and hit nine boundaries.

Shakeel also survived a freakish run out attempt on 138 when he stepped out of his crease while leaving paceman Hasan Mahmud's delivery, but made it back as Das hit the stumps.

Agha Salman made 19.

Pacers Hasan Mahmud (2-70) and Shoriful Islam (2-77) were the pick of Bangladesh bowlers, while Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan grabbed a wicket each.

Resuming at 158-4, Shakeel and Rizwan added 98 runs in an extended two-hour and 15-minute morning session after play on the first day was delayed by a wet outfield.

Looking for early wickets, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto used all his bowlers but none could replicate the success achieved on day one.

The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship's third cycle with Pakistan currently sixth and Bangladesh eighth on the nine-team table.

PAKISTAN: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi

BANGLADESH: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud