Bangladesh bowl out Pakistan before stretching lead to 156 on Day 2 of Sylhet Test

Bangladesh tightened their grip on the Sylhet Test with a day of relentless pressure, disciplined bowling and fearless batting, leaving Pakistan chasing shadows by the close of the second evening.

After skittling Pakistan for 232 and securing a first-innings lead of 46, the hosts raced to 110 for 3 in their second innings, swelling their overall advantage to 156 runs with seven wickets still intact on Sunday.

The day belonged first to Bangladesh’s bowlers and then to Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who answered mounting scrutiny in the most emphatic fashion.

Pakistan resumed under pressure and never truly escaped it.

Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz ripped into the top order during a superb morning spell, before Taijul Islam and Nahid Rana completed the squeeze with three wickets apiece.

Taskin set the tone with hostility and movement.

Abdullah Fazal edged behind after being drawn into a loose push, while Azan Awais gloved an inswinger onto his pad, the ball looping gently to short leg.

Miraz soon joined the hunt, removing captain Shan Masood and the struggling Saud Shakeel in quick succession.

Only Babar Azam resisted with authority on his return from injury. His elegant 68, decorated with crisp drives and square cuts, briefly steadied Pakistan alongside Salman Agha in a 63-run stand.

But Rana’s pace eventually undid him, the former captain pushing uncertainly to mid-on.

Taijul then spun the innings towards collapse. Salman holed out in the deep before Mohammad Rizwan watched in despair as the ball trickled from inside edge to pad and onto the stumps.

Hasan Ali soon followed, leaving Pakistan reeling at eight down before tea.

Sajid Khan’s late assault -- four sixes in a whirlwind 38 off 28 balls -- reduced the deficit, with three towering blows off a single Taijul over energising the visitors briefly. Rana, however, ended the resistance swiftly.

Bangladesh’s reply began shakily when debutant Tanzid Hasan fell early, but Mahmudul transformed the mood.

Under pressure after a string of low scores, he unfurled a dazzling array of cover drives and deft glides behind square in a fluent 54 off 58 balls.

Mominul Haque added 30 before falling off the final ball of the day, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten as Bangladesh marched firmly towards control of the Test.