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Published : 16 May 2026, 04:47 PM
Litton Das produced one of the finest rescue acts of his Test career to haul Bangladesh from the brink of humiliation to a position of defiance on a dramatic opening day against Pakistan in Sylhet.
At 116 for 6 shortly after lunch, Bangladesh appeared destined for collapse as Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad sliced through the top and middle order with fiery discipline.
By stumps, however, Litton’s breathtaking 126 had lifted the hosts to a far more competitive 278, completely altering the mood of the contest.
Pakistan had dominated the first two sessions after captain Shan Masood elected to bowl first.
Abbas struck with just the second delivery of the match, removing Mahmudul Hasan Joy for a duck after Salman Agha held a sharp catch in the slips.
Debutant Tanzid Hasan briefly countered with confidence, driving fluently through the off side during an enterprising stand with Mominul Haque.
But just as Bangladesh threatened stability, Abbas tempted Tanzid into a miscued stroke that ballooned back to the bowler.
Shahzad then intensified the pressure, dismissing Mominul to leave Bangladesh wobbling at 63 for 3.
Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim attempted to steady the innings, but Pakistan’s bowlers tightened their grip after lunch with gruelling accuracy.
Runs dried up completely before Abbas drew an edge from Shanto, with Mohammad Rizwan diving brilliantly behind the stumps.
Shahzad soon trapped Mushfiqur in front before surprising Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a sharp bouncer that was hooked tamely to fine leg.
Bangladesh were in ruins. Litton, however, refused to surrender.
Aware he was batting with the tail, the wicketkeeper-batter farmed the strike expertly and absorbed pressure with remarkable calm.
He first rebuilt patiently alongside Taijul Islam before gradually dismantling Pakistan’s control as the bowlers began to tire.
There was fortune too. On 52, Litton gloved a Shahzad bouncer through to Rizwan, but Pakistan -- having already wasted two reviews -- hesitated and let the chance slip. Bangladesh seized the moment.
With Taijul, Taskin Ahmed and especially Shoriful Islam offering stubborn support, Litton unleashed an extraordinary fightback.
A fierce six punched over midwicket stood out among a stream of crisp boundaries as Pakistan’s discipline unravelled.
A glorious drive through cover carried Litton to his third Test hundred against Pakistan and his sixth overall, drawing a roar from the Sylhet crowd.
Though he eventually fell for 126, attempting another attacking stroke, the damage had already been done.
Pakistan then batted out the session to end the day on 21 for no loss, trailing by 257 runs.
