Azan's debut century lifts Pakistan to 251-5 at lunch on Day 3 against Bangladesh in 1st test

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DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Pakistan opener Azan Awais made a century on debut but Bangladesh clawed back control as it reduced the visitors to 251-5 at lunch on Day 3 in an evenly poised first cricket test on Sunday.

Azan made 103 off 165, in an innings laced with 14 boundaries.

Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and pacer Taskin Ahmed were then instrumental in leading Bangladesh's fightback after Pakistan had resumed at 179-1.

Azan began the day fluently, hitting two fours in the first four overs to reach 99. He then nudged Nahid Rana to point for a single to raise his century off 153 balls, becoming 15th Pakistan batter to hit ton on debut.

But the brilliant knock came to end when Taskin (2-61) dismissed him for his 50th test wicket. In doing so, Taskin became only third Bangladeshi pacer after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain Rajib to reach the milestone.

Taskin then sent back captain Shan Masood to trigger a mini collapse as Pakistan lost three wickets for four runs.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3-61) struck twice including the wicket of another debutant Abdullah Fazal, who made 60.

At lunch, Salman Agha was batting on 12 with Mohammad Rizwan on 8.

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto struck a sublime century — a 130-ball 101 — and Mominul Haque made 91 to lift Bangladesh to 413 all out in its first innings.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket