Azan Awais Debut Ton Leaves Pakistan-Bangladesh Test Tight

Pakistan’s first Test against Bangladesh remained finely balanced in Dhaka on Sunday after a dramatic third day shaped by debutant Azan Awais’s century and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s five-wicket spell. At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Pakistan were dismissed for 386 in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413, leaving the hosts with a narrow but important advantage.

Bangladesh ended the rain-hit day at 7 without loss in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 34 runs before bad light brought play to an early close. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam survived the final phase, ensuring the home side would begin the next day with all ten wickets intact.

Pakistan’s innings was anchored by Azan Awais, who converted his overnight position into a memorable debut hundred. The left-handed opener made 103 from 153 deliveries and became the 14th Pakistani batter to score a century on Test debut, giving the visitors a major platform at a time when Bangladesh looked capable of building a stronger grip on the match.

Azan later described the achievement as an emotional moment, saying the pressure of a first international appearance had made him nervous but that he was proud to contribute for Pakistan. Mehidy, meanwhile, said his plan had been to keep bowling disciplined lines on a surface that did not offer immediate help, waiting for mistakes rather than chasing wickets impatiently.

Pakistan’s middle order also played a vital role in keeping the innings alive. Abdullah Fazal, another debutant, scored 60, while Salman Agha added 58 and Mohammad Rizwan made 59. The partnership between Rizwan and Salman was especially important, as their 119-run stand helped Pakistan recover from pressure and reduced Bangladesh’s first-innings advantage.

Rain interrupted a significant portion of the afternoon session, but conditions changed when play resumed. The surface began to offer more assistance to spin, allowing Mehidy to tighten his control and finish with a five-wicket haul after a long 38-over effort. His spell prevented Pakistan from moving beyond Bangladesh’s total and ensured the match stayed open.

Azan’s dismissal also carried significance for Bangladesh, as he became Taskin Ahmed’s 50th Test wicket after captain Najmul Hossain Shanto held a catch at slip. The wicket ended Pakistan’s strongest individual resistance and gave Bangladesh renewed energy during the final stages of the innings.

The Test has already produced several momentum shifts, with Bangladesh first posting a strong 413 before Pakistan fought back through debut performances and lower-order resistance. Both sides now enter the fourth day with clear opportunities: Bangladesh will try to build a match-winning lead, while Pakistan will look for early wickets to keep the chase manageable.

For Pakistan, the match is important beyond the immediate result because the performances of young debutants have strengthened confidence in the team’s red-ball future. If Pakistan can strike early on the fourth morning, the contest could still turn sharply in their favour; if Bangladesh’s openers settle, the hosts may place the visitors under serious final-innings pressure.