BAN vs PAK 2026, BAN vs PAK 1st Test Match Report, May 08 – 12, 2026

Pakistan 50 for 0 (Imam 28*, Awais 18*) trail Bangladesh 413 (Shanto 101, Mominul 91, Mushfiqur 71, Abbas 5-92) by 363 runs

Mohammad Abbas said Pakistan had been slightly unlucky on the first day, and then played an instrumental part turning that luck around on the second morning. Four wickets to add to Friday’s one gave the fast bowler a five-wicket haul that undid some of the damage Bangladesh inflicted on Pakistan on day one, thus bowling them out for 413.

It was still the highest first-innings score Bangladesh have ever managed against Pakistan, though it fell short of what they may have hoped when they looked solid at 338 for 4, before losing 6 for 75. It gave Pakistan an hour before tea to survive, and though Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais looked by no means convincing, they managed to hold Bangladesh’s quicks off.

Earlier, it was Abbas who helped Pakistan make Bangladesh slide with figures of 5 for 92. Always searching for unconventional ways to gain an edge, he surprised Litton Das with a bouncer that, despite his modest pace, grew big on the batter as he tried to mow it over mid-on. Litton found Amad Butt, the substitute fielder, stationed there, and he took a splendid catch for Pakistan’s first success in the morning.

Shortly after, Abbas added a second wicket in the morning as Mehidy Hasan Miraz tried to transfer pressure back onto him. A six off the previous delivery emboldened the batter to scythe him through point, but Mehidy only found Imam’s safe hands.

It appeared Bangladesh had decided to take Pakistan on from one end while Mushfiqur Rahim shepherded them from the other. Taijul Islam went after Hasan Ali in a little cameo that sped up the scoring rate, but, again, found himself succumbing to the unlikely Abbas bumper that he failed to get over.

The other quicks finally jumped in to help. Shaheen Shah Afridi broke the innings open by ending Mushfiqur’s stubborn resistance on 71 with a lovely nipping ball post-lunch. But Abbas was not denied his fifth – it was yet another bouncer that Ebadot Hossain could not handle and nicked off to. Bangladesh found a way to get over the 400 mark with a breezy cameo from Taskin Ahmed, who scored 28 off 19 balls, and added 29 with last batter Nahid Rana.

Once Pakistan came out to bat in response to Bangladesh’s 413, Imam and Azan were positive, if not always convincing, through the ten overs before tea. Imam was fortunate to still be out there, having survived a dropped chance in the slips, and two very close lbw calls. But the sternest test came from Nahid’s late burst. His first delivery struck Awais flush on the badge, and required a lengthy concussion check before the physio was called again a few minutes later for another inspection.

All told, Awais stayed out there, though, and with Pakistan’s opening partnership having touched 50, it is a day and a Test, they might finally be hoping they can turn around.

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