SYLHET: Hosts Bangladesh tightened their grip on the second Test against Pakistan on Monday, setting a daunting target of 437 runs after declaring a commanding second-innings total and leaving the visitors to chase a record fourth-innings victory.
Bad light forced an early end to play on day three, with Pakistan set to resume their second innings on the fourth day.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 390 in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 436 runs after Pakistan were dismissed for 232 in their first innings.
Resuming the day at 110-3, Bangladesh saw captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran batter Mushfiq ur Rahim at the crease. Shanto was later dismissed for 15 after being trapped lbw by Pakistan pacer Khurram Shahzad at 115.
Mushfiq ur Rahim and Liton Das then built a crucial 123-run partnership that frustrated the Pakistani bowling attack. Rahim top-scored with a brilliant 137, while Liton contributed 69.
Among the other Bangladesh batters, Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 19, Taijul Islam made 22, Taskin Ahmed added 6, and Shoriful Islam contributed 12, while Nahid Rana was dismissed without scoring.
For Pakistan, Khurram Shahzad led the bowling effort with four wickets, while Sajid Khan took three. Hassan Ali and Mohammad Abbas claimed two and one wicket respectively.
Earlier, Pakistan resumed their first innings on 21 without loss but collapsed under pressure. Openers Azan Awais (13) and Abdullah Fazal (9) fell cheaply, while captain Shan Masood managed 21.
Babar Azam once again offered resistance with a composed 68, but received little support from the other end. Saud Shakeel scored 8, Salman Agha 21 and Mohammad Rizwan 13.
Lower-order resistance came from Sajid Khan (38) and Hassan Ali (18), but Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 232. Bangladesh’s Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam took three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two apiece.
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Bangladesh had already taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after winning the first Test by 104 runs. Pakistan made three changes to their XI, bringing in Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad and Sajid Khan in place of Imam-ul-Haq, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Noman Ali.
