Sylhet: Bangladesh bowlers removed the openers before captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam steadied Pakistan’s innings at lunch on Day 4 of the second cricket Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. Chasing a daunting 437-run target, Pakistan reached 101-2 at the first interval of the day with Masood unbeaten on 41 and Babar on 24. The duo added an unbroken 60-run stand for the third wicket after Pakistan slipped to 41-2 in the morning session.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, fast bowler Nahid Rana gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough when Abdullah Fazal (6) gloved a sharp bouncer to gully. Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz then trapped Azan Awais leg-before for 21 with an in-drifter to tighten Bangladesh’s grip on the contest. Masood and Babar, however, resisted confidently, negotiating Nahid’s short-pitched bowling well and keeping the scoreboard moving heading into the break.
Earlier, Bangladesh were bowled out for 278 in the first innings, riding on a sublime 126 from Liton Das, before dismissing Pakistan for 232. The hosts then racked up 390 in the second innings, with Mushfiqur Rahim hitting a record-breaking 137, to set Pakistan an imposing target for a series-levelling victory. No team has successfully chased more than 418 runs in Test cricket’s 149-year history.
Bangladesh, who won the opening Test by 104 runs, are aiming for a second successive series sweep over Pakistan after achieving the feat in 2024 on Pakistan’s soil.