Mohammad Rizwan celebrates a fighting half-century. Photo: AFP
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha produced determined half-centuries to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive in a tense run chase against Bangladesh on the fourth day of the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan finished the day on 316/7 in their second innings, still requiring 121 runs to complete what would be a record chase in Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test history and level the two-match series.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on a fighting 75 off 134 deliveries, striking eight fours, while all-rounder Sajid Khan was unbeaten on nine at stumps after surviving the final overs alongside Rizwan.
Bangladesh, however, remained firmly in control of the contest after spinner Taijul Islam struck crucial late blows with the second new ball to leave Pakistan under pressure heading into the final day.
Chasing a daunting 437-run target, Pakistan resumed day four at 0/0 but suffered an early setback when fast bowler Nahid Rana dismissed opener Abdullah Fazal after the visitors had added 27 runs.
Bangladesh tightened their grip further when Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed debutant Azan Awais for 21, reducing Pakistan to 41/2 during the morning session.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood and former skipper Babar Azam then steadied the innings with a composed partnership that frustrated Bangladesh’s bowlers and carried the visitors to 101/2 at lunch.
The pair added 92 runs for the third wicket and briefly revived Pakistan’s hopes of an unlikely victory in the ICC World Test Championship contest.
Babar Azam looked fluent during his knock of 47 off 52 deliveries before left-arm spinner Taijul Islam broke the stand with a crucial breakthrough after lunch.
Pakistan’s problems deepened shortly afterward when Saud Shakeel fell cheaply for six, increasing the pressure on the middle order.
Masood continued to resist and brought up a gritty half-century before Taijul struck again to dismiss the Pakistan captain for 71 off 116 balls, an innings featuring disciplined strokeplay under difficult circumstances.
At 200/5 by tea, Pakistan still required another 237 runs and Bangladesh appeared favourites to complete victory.
But Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha launched a spirited fightback in the final session, combining for a valuable 134-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
The experienced pair batted patiently against Bangladesh’s spin attack while rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries to gradually reduce the target below the 200-run mark.
Salman Ali Agha completed a composed half-century and looked set to take Pakistan into the final day with momentum before Taijul Islam delivered another breakthrough with the new ball.
The spinner bowled Agha through the gate for a fighting 71 off 102 deliveries, including six fours and one six, to swing the momentum back in Bangladesh’s favour late in the evening.
Taijul then struck again a few overs later when Hasan Ali edged to first slip for a duck, leaving Pakistan seven wickets down before stumps.
The left-arm spinner finished the day with two crucial wickets in the final session and once again emerged as Bangladesh’s key weapon on a wearing Sylhet surface.
Earlier, Bangladesh had posted 390 in their second innings, powered by Mushfiqur Rahim’s superb century, setting Pakistan a massive fourth-innings target.
With Rizwan still at the crease and Pakistan needing 121 more runs on the final day, the second Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test remains delicately poised despite the hosts retaining the upper hand.
