Bangladesh Holds Narrow Lead Over Pakistan in First Test as Debut Century Shapes Contest

Bangladesh opened the series with a Test at Mirpur, Dhaka. They posted 413 in the first innings; Pakistan replied with 386, leaving Bangladesh a 27-run edge. After three days Bangladesh led by 34 runs in the second innings. Key contributions came from Azan Awais's debut century and Mehidy Miraz's five-wicket haul, which shaped the contest.

Awais makes memorable debut ton as Bangladesh keep controlKARE11Dawn

Rain shortened Day 3, but play resumed and debutant Azan Awais completed a 103-run innings, later dismissed by Taskin Ahmed (caught by Shanto). Mehidy Miraz took 5/102, exploiting turn. On Day 4 Shanto and Mominul Haque added 70 runs, pushing the lead to 115 before early wickets fell.

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Mehidy Hasan Miraz said the match was evenly poised, a 50-50 chance, and urged Bangladesh to set a target near 290-300 runs for a realistic defense, noting his plan to bowl accurately early and attack when the ball turns. Azan Awais called his debut century a blessed feeling and said he overcame nerves.

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Two days remain; Bangladesh will aim to post a defendable total, while Pakistan will seek to chase or set a target in the final innings, with the result hinging on bowlers and batting resilience.

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• “It’s a very blessed feeling for me because I know it’s my debut match and I performed really well for my country,” — Azan Awais, Pakistan batsman

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• “When I was going in to bat, I was a little nervous, but I performed very well for my team.” — Azan Awais, Pakistan batsman

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• “On a true wicket like this, as a spinner, my mindset is that I will not get help from the pitch in the first three days,” — Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh off-spinner

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• “If I bowl in good areas and the batter makes a mistake, then I have a chance of taking wickets. My job was to make sure I did not concede runs from one end.” — Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh off-spinner

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• “In the second innings, I will come as an attacking bowler when the ball is turning,” — Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh off-spinner

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• “We must take responsibility while batting. In Mirpur, you never know what a safe score is. However, if we can put up a minimum score that our bowlers can defend - perhaps around 290 or 300 runs - it would be a highly competitive total on this wicket.” — Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh off-spinner

Awais makes memorable debut ton as Bangladesh keep control