SYLHET, MAY 17: Hosts Bangladesh moved into a commanding position in the second and final Test of the series, after extending their lead over Pakistan on Sunday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Batting in their second innings, the hosts ended day two at 110-3 in 26.4 overs, holding a 156-run advantage. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on 13, while Mominul Haque was dismissed on the final delivery of the day’s play.

Bangladesh got off to a poor start by losing Tanzid Hasan on the third delivery of the fourth over.

After the early setback, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Haque stabilised the innings by scoring crucial runs from the start, notching up 50-run stand and helping the team’s total past the 50-run mark as well.

Joy was in dominant form with the bat as he brought up his sixth Test fifty, reaching the milestone off 58 deliveries.

However, the 76-run stand was broken after Mohammad Abbas struck and dismissed Joy, who contributed 52 off 64 deliveries after hitting 10 fours.

Shanto and Haque kept the score board ticking which helped them take the team’s total past the 100-run mark and extend the lead to over 150 runs.

Khurram Shahzad dismissed Haque for 30 off 60 deliveries, an innings that included three boundaries.

In the first innings, Pakistan were bowled out for 232 in 57.4 overs, handing the hosts a 46-run lead courtesy of a dominant bowling performance by Bangladesh.

Babar Azam top-scored with a fighting 68 off 84 deliveries, hitting 10 fours before being dismissed by Nahid Rana, while Sajid Khan contributed valuable runs down the order, scoring 38 off 28 balls with two fours and four sixes.

Skipper Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 21 runs each, while opener Azan Awais and Mohammad Rizwan added 13 runs apiece.

Pacer Nahid Rana and spinner Taijul Islam led the Bangladesh attack with three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets apiece.

Earlier, put into bat first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 278 despite slipping to 116/6 shortly after lunch, largely due to a composed and commanding innings from Litton Das, who held the innings together and guided the lower order.

The right-handed batter top-scored with a magnificent 126 off 159 deliveries, decorated with 16 fours and two sixes.

Skipper Shanto contributed 29 off 74 deliveries, including three fours, while Tanzid Hasan made 26 off 34 balls, striking three boundaries. Haque scored 22 off 41 deliveries with three fours, and Mushfiqur Rahim added 23 off 64 balls, including two boundaries.

Litton Das received strong support from the lower order, with Taijul Islam (16) and Shoriful Islam (12 not out), as he shared crucial partnerships of over 60 runs with both.

For Pakistan, Shahzad was the standout bowler, finishing with four wickets for 81 runs in 17 overs. Abbas took three wickets, while Hasan Ali claimed two. Spinner Sajid Khan also chipped in with a wicket.