Pakistan collapsed against Bangladesh bowling on the second day of the Sylhet Test, conceding a 46-run first-innings lead despite a fighting half-century from Babar Azam and a late counterattack by Sajid Khan.

Replying to Bangladesh’s first innings of 278 runs, Pakistan were bowled out for 232 runs as the home side tightened its grip on the match.

Pakistan made a poor start to the day as Abdullah Fazal was dismissed for 9 runs and debut centurion Azan Owais fell for 13 runs.

Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings with a 38-run partnership before Mehidy Hasan removed Shan for 21 runs.

Saud Shakeel managed only 8 runs as Pakistan’s batting line-up came under increasing pressure.

Babar Azam stood out with a fluent 68 runs off 84 balls, striking 10 boundaries, but lacked support from the other end. He was eventually dismissed by Naheed Rana with Pakistan on 142 runs.

Salman Ali Agha contributed 21 runs while Mohammad Rizwan added 13.

Lower-order batter Sajid Khan briefly revived Pakistan’s hopes with an aggressive 38 runs off 28 balls, including four sixes. He struck three consecutive sixes in one over from Taijul Islam before Naheed Rana dismissed him in the following over.

Pakistan’s innings ended at 232 runs, handing Bangladesh a first-innings lead of 46 runs.

For Bangladesh, Naheed Rana and Taijul Islam claimed three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan took two apiece.

Earlier, Bangladesh were powered by wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das, who scored a brilliant 126 runs after Pakistan captain Shan Masood elected to bowl first.

Khurram Shahzad led Pakistan’s bowling effort with four wickets, Mohammad Abbas took three, Hasan Ali claimed two, and Sajid Khan picked up one wicket.

Bangladesh entered the match with a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.