Drama in Sylhet: Litton Das Stands Tall in Pak vs Ban Clash
The second and final Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh has delivered the kind of high-stakes drama that makes Test cricket legendary. In a match defined by extreme swings of momentum, Bangladesh managed to post a respectable first-innings total of 278, thanks to a breathtaking rescue act by Litton Das.
Coming into this match, Pakistan was trailing 1-0 in the series after a tough 104-run defeat in Mirpur. Determined to bounce back, the Pakistani side opted to bowl first—a decision that initially looked like a masterstroke.
A Nightmare Start for the Hosts
The beginning of the innings was a disaster for Bangladesh. The Pakistani bowling attack, led by the clinical Mohammad Abbas, tore through the top order. The fall of wickets was swift and brutal:
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- Mahmudul Hasan Joy: Out for a duck on the second ball.
- Tanzid Hasan: A promising 26 cut short by an ambitious pull shot.
- Mominul Haque: Bowled for 22 by Khurram Shahzad.
The situation turned critical after lunch, as Bangladesh slumped to a precarious 116-6. With Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim falling in quick succession, the hosts seemed headed for a humiliating collapse.
The Litton Das Masterclass
Enter Litton Das. Batting at number six, Das played an innings of sheer defiance and elegance. Scoring 126 runs off 159 balls, Litton dismantled the Pakistani attack with 16 boundaries and two towering sixes. This marked his sixth Test century and served as the backbone of the Bangladesh innings.
What made this century even more vital were the partnerships he forged with the lower order. Litton added 60 runs with Taijul Islam and a crucial 64-run stand with Shoriful Islam, proving that resilience is the key to success in the ICC Test format.
“The most important thing in this innings is that Taijul, Taskin, and Shoriful all batted well and faced a lot of balls,” Litton remarked after his century.
Pakistan’s Missed Opportunities
Despite the early dominance, Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, faced criticism for missing two critical DRS review opportunities. Replays indicated faint edges for both Mushfiqur and Litton, but the challenges never came.
Khurram Shahzad lamented the missed chances, stating, “We were getting wickets early on. If we had gotten them out there, the situation would have been completely different.”
Current Standings and What’s Next
As the day ended, Pakistan reached 21-0 at stumps in their first reply, with Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal showing early stability. With the series on the line, the upcoming days will determine if Pakistan can force a draw or if Bangladesh will secure a historic series victory.
For more real-time statistics and global rankings, check out ESPNcricinfo.
