Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz combined for a 165-run partnership in the seventh wicket on Sunday, steering Bangladesh out of a precarious 26-6 situation in response to Pakistan's 274 on the third day of the second Test in Rawalpindi.
By tea, Bangladesh had advanced to 193-8, with Das unbeaten on a remarkable 83, still trailing by 81 runs with two wickets remaining. All-rounder Mehidy also surpassed the 50-run mark, contributing to Bangladesh's recovery, but he was dismissed just before tea by pace bowler Khurram Shahzad, who claimed his fifth wicket of the innings with the score at 191. Shahzad then dismissed Taskin Ahmed for a single in the following over, concluding the session with career-best figures of 6-73.
Das and Mehidy's resilient stand capitalized on a Rawalpindi stadium pitch that improved in the second session of the rain-affected Test, which saw the first day completely washed out on Friday. Shahzad, who had earlier taken 4-15 in his initial spell, caught Mehidy off a misdirected drive two overs before tea, ending Pakistan's prolonged and frustrating wait for the seventh wicket as they sought a series-levelling victory. Bangladesh had secured their first-ever victory over Pakistan in 14 attempts last week in the first Test, also in Rawalpindi, by a 10-wicket margin.
Das and Mehidy transformed the game in the second session, confidently resuming after lunch at 75-6, still needing 50 runs to avoid the follow-on. Das accelerated with six consecutive boundaries in the post-lunch session and by tea had hit nine fours and two sixes, marking his 18th Test half-century. Mehidy, who had taken 5-61 on Saturday, struck 12 boundaries and a six, achieving his eighth Test 50.
Bangladesh started the day at 10-0, but Shahzad quickly dismissed opener Zakir Hasan, caught by Abrar Ahmed at short midwicket for one in the fourth over. He then bowled Shadman Islam (10) and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (four) in quick succession, reducing Bangladesh to 20-3. Mir Hamza contributed by catching Mominul Haque at mid-on and dismissing first Test centurion Mushfiqur Rahim for three, caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan from a fine outswinger. Shahzad then trapped Shakib Al Hasan lbw for two, making it 26-6 before Mehidy and Das stabilized the innings.
