Dhaka, May 16 -- 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 ...