Imam-ul-Haq lauded Pakistan debutant Azan Awais for showing composure under pressure, saying his performance underlined the importance of red-ball domestic cricket. Awais led Pakistan’s reply to Bangladesh’s sizeable first-innings total, finishing the second day unbeaten on 85 as Pakistan reached 179 for 1.
“You should prioritise red-ball domestic cricket. Azan has played 33 first-class matches and scored 10 hundreds. His record speaks for itself,” Imam said. “He was batting under pressure. There was lateral movement and the Bangladesh bowlers were playing with decent pace. He held his composure. He absorbed all the pressure, and it really helps having played so much domestic cricket.”
By stumps, Awais looked assured against a demanding Bangladesh attack, despite Pakistan beginning their innings with a large deficit. He handled several testing spells from Nahid Rana and eventually countered him with three consecutive boundaries in what became Rana’s final over of the day.
Imam Highlights Value of Settling In
Imam said Pakistan’s batters benefited from surviving the early phase, though he admitted Bangladesh were not always consistent with their lines and lengths.
“There is a lot of grass but the pitch is very good to bat on,” Imam said. “It’s initially difficult, but when you get 20-30 runs it gets easier. We got lucky because we were getting boundaries every 2-3 overs, which was good for the debutant [Awais] as well that he didn’t have that pressure where the runflow was very dry. We got the boundary ball often enough, and in that sense we were lucky today.”
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Awais’ innings could have taken a different direction when Rana tested him early with a sharp bouncer that struck him on the helmet. The physio came out, and concussion checks followed. Awais continued, though he required medical attention again soon after before being cleared to resume.
Pakistan Were Ready for Rana’s Pace
Imam said Pakistan had prepared for Rana’s short-ball challenge before the innings began.
“We knew what was coming,” Imam said. “We had a meeting where we discussed that Nahid would bowl like this [fast]. Credit goes to Azan. After the first ball when he got hit, which was a quick ball, the way he responded was very good.
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“We spoke after that. It was just a normal conversation. I was just saying watch the ball, what has happened has happened. Now you have to focus again. But the way he absorbed all the pressure was impressive. He knew how to score runs on this wicket when there was lateral movement and it was very difficult to bat at some stages. But he held his composure and batted brilliantly.”
Pakistan Fight Back After Bangladesh’s Strong Start
Awais’ unbeaten knock helped Pakistan recover from a difficult first-day position in Mirpur. Bangladesh had ended day one strongly at 301 for 4, but Mohammad Abbas’ five-wicket haul helped Pakistan bowl them out for 413.
Pakistan’s reply reduced the deficit to 224 by the close of the second day, shifting momentum back towards the visitors.
“We won all the sessions today,” Imam said. “But there are three days remaining. This is the beauty of Test cricket. It really changes very quickly. You have to be patient. Tomorrow is moving day and will decide where the Test match is going.”
