Mirpur, 4 December 2021: Captain Babar Azam stroked a stylish unbeaten half-century as Pakistan reached 161 for two on a day when only 57 overs play was possible in the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangladesh Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Babar was unbeaten on 60 and with him was Azhar Ali on 36 as the two have switched a 91 runs partnership for the unfinished third wicket after Abdullah Shafique (25) and Abid Ali (39) had provided Pakistan a 59-run opening start after the visitors had elected to bat.
Both the openers fell to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (two for 49) in a space of 11 runs as Pakistan slipped to 70 for two. At that stage, Babar and Azhar held the wobbling innings together and looked set to put Pakistan in a more commanding position but bad light prevented any play in the final session of the day.
Babar had struck seven eloquent boundaries and a six in a 99-ball 60, while Azhar was unbeaten on a not too convincing 112-ball 36 that included four fours.
This was Babar’s 19th half-century in 37th Test, including fourth of the year after he scored 77 (vs South Africa in Rawalpindi) and, 55 and 77 in the two Sabina Park Tests against the West Indies.
Babar’s fifth and last century was in his 26th Test, coincidently against Bangladesh when he scored 143 in Rawalpindi in February 2020. However, weather forecast for the next three days is not very encouraging and can potentially delay the champion batter notching up his sixth century.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan 161-2, 57 overs (Babar Azam 60 not out, Abid Ali 39, Azhar Ali 36 not out, Abdullah Shafique 25; Taijul Islam 2-49) v Bangladesh
