Azan Awais Sparkles on Debut as Pakistan Fight Back in Mirpur Test

A sensational debut performance from 21-year-old Azan Awais has breathed new life into Pakistan’s campaign against Bangladesh. At the close of Day 2, Pakistan reached 179 for 1, trailing Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413 by 234 runs, with Awais standing tall on an unbeaten 85.

Thrust into the heat of Test cricket, Azan Awais displayed the temperament of a veteran. His innings began under immense physical duress after being struck flush on the helmet by a 147kph bouncer from Nahid Rana. Despite being visibly dazed and undergoing two separate concussion tests, Awais remained at the crease.

His resilience shifted the momentum in the final session. Displaying the poise that saw him score 10 hundreds in domestic cricket, Awais dismantled the Bangladeshi pace attack, punctuated by three consecutive boundaries against Rana that effectively forced the pacer out of the attack.

While the youngsters led the batting charge, the morning belonged to the "old hand," Mohammad Abbas. Bangladesh started the day in a commanding position at 338 for 4, but Abbas triggered a dramatic collapse, taking four wickets in the morning session to finish with figures of 5-92.

Using subtle movement and an unexpected short-ball strategy, Abbas removed the dangerous Litton Das and neutralized the lower order. Despite a late cameo from Taskin Ahmed (28), Bangladesh was bowled out for 413—their highest-ever first-innings score against Pakistan, though significantly less than they had threatened to post.

Pakistan’s response was anchored by two key partnerships of Imam-ul-Haq (45) provided stability alongside Awais before falling to an arm ball from Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal showed great composure, surviving a late scare in the slips to finish the day alongside Awais.

Speaking after the day’s play, Imam-ul-Haq praised Awais’s grit: "He absorbed all the pressure. It really helps having played so much domestic cricket." Imam noted that while the pitch offered initial lateral movement, Pakistan’s patience allowed them to capitalize on loose deliveries, winning every session of the day.

With nine wickets in hand and three days remaining, the match heads into "Moving Day" with Pakistan eyeing a lead and Bangladesh searching for early breakthroughs to reclaim their initial dominance.