SYLHET: Pakistan made a cautious start to their daunting fourth-innings chase of 437 runs against Bangladesh national cricket team, reaching stumps at 0-0 in two overs on day three of the second Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
The visitors will resume their innings on day four with openers Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais unbeaten at the crease.
Resuming their second innings with a lead of 46 runs, Bangladesh were bowled out for 390 in 102.2 overs, setting Pakistan a massive target courtesy of a brilliant century from Mushfiqur Rahim and half-centuries by opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy and middle-order batter Litton Das.
Mushfiqur played a superb knock of 137 off 233 deliveries, striking 12 fours and a six before being dismissed by Sajid Khan. Litton Das scored 69 off 92 balls with five boundaries, while Mahmudul Hasan made 52 from 64 deliveries, hitting 10 fours.
Mushfiqur stitched together crucial partnerships with Litton Das and Taijul Islam late in the innings to guide Bangladesh to a commanding total. Mominul Haque also chipped in with 30 runs off 60 deliveries, including three boundaries.
Taijul Islam added 22 off 51 balls with two fours, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shoriful Islam contributed 19 and 12 runs respectively.
For Pakistan national cricket team, Khurram Shahzad was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/86 in 20 overs, while Sajid Khan claimed three wickets. Hasan Ali took two wickets and Mohammad Abbas picked up one scalp.
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh were bowled out for 278 in their first innings despite slipping to 116/6 shortly after lunch, largely due to a composed and commanding century from Litton Das, who steadied the innings and guided the lower order.
The right-handed batter top-scored with a magnificent 126 off 159 deliveries, smashing 16 fours and two sixes.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto made 29 off 74 deliveries with three fours, while Tanzid Hasan scored 26 off 34 balls, including three boundaries.
Mominul Haque contributed 22 off 41 deliveries with three fours, while Mushfiqur Rahim added 23 runs from 64 balls with the help of two boundaries.
Litton Das received solid support from the lower order, as Taijul Islam scored 16 and Shoriful Islam remained unbeaten on 12. The batter shared partnerships of over 60 runs with both players to help Bangladesh recover strongly.
For Pakistan, Khurram Shahzad again impressed with figures of 4/81 in 17 overs. Mohammad Abbas claimed three wickets, while Hasan Ali picked up two and Sajid Khan took one wicket.
In response, Pakistan were bowled out for 232 in 57.4 overs, conceding a 46-run first-innings lead after a dominant performance from Bangladesh’s bowlers.
Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with a fighting 68 off 84 deliveries, hitting 10 fours before falling to Nahid Rana. Sajid Khan also played an entertaining knock lower down the order, scoring 38 off 28 balls with two fours and four sixes.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha scored 21 runs each, while Azan Awais and Mohammad Rizwan added 13 apiece.
For Bangladesh, Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam starred with three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets apiece.