Sports Reporter:
Bangladesh closed in on a historic series sweep over Pakistan as they need just three wickets to seal the deal in the second and final cricket Test.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed four wickets, bowling with passion and grit to reducing the visi-tors to 316-7 at stumps on Day 4 while defending an imposing 437-run target today at Sylhet Interna-tional Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan still require 121 runs for victory, which is tough task on fifth day pitch, although Mohammad Rizwan kept their slim hopes alive with a determined unbeaten 75. Sajid Khan was on 8 when the bails were drawn, ending a dramatic day that swung repeatedly between the two sides.
Pakistan resumed the day knowing they needed a near-record chase to level the series after Bangladesh had set them a daunting target. The highest successful chase in Test cricket history remains West Indies’ 418 against Australia in 2003, leaving Pakistan with a monumental task.
Bangladesh made an early breakthrough through fast bowler Nahid Rana, whose pace continued to trou-ble the Pakistan batters throughout the innings.
Abdullah Fazal attempted to fend off a sharp short-pitched delivery but only managed to steer the ball to gully, departing for 6.
Soon after, off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped Azan Awais leg-before wicket for 21 as Bangladesh tightened their grip on the match.
However, Pakistan skipper Shan Masood and Babar Azam resisted strongly to revive the innings. The duo negotiated Nahid’s hostile spells effectively while rotating the strike regularly to frustrate Bangla-desh.
Their partnership yielded 91 runs and briefly steadied Pakistan’s chase before Taijul broke through at a crucial moment.
Babar, looking comfortable on 47, was strangled down the leg side while attempting to guide the ball to fine leg region, handing Bangladesh a key wicket.
Pakistan’s troubles deepened quickly afterward. Saud Shakeel edged a sharp Nahid Rana delivery behind the wicket, and Taijul then removed Masood for 71 with a sharp catch at short leg.
At 162-6, Bangladesh appeared on course to complete victory inside four days.
But Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha mounted a stubborn fightback with a superb 134-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Rizwan showed patience and determination, carefully valuing his wicket while punishing loose deliver-ies. He reached his 14th Test fifty with a sweep off Taijul through square leg.
Agha provided positive support at the other end and brought up his 12th Test half-century from just 74 balls.
The pair gradually shifted pressure back on Bangladesh as they looked to guide Pakistan safely through the final session.
Just when the partnership threatened to take the game away from Bangladesh, Taijul delivered once again. The experienced left-arm spinner bowled Agha for 71 with a well-disguised slider before dismiss-ing Hasan Ali for a duck to restore Bangladesh’s dominance.
Taijul finished the day with 4-116 while Nahid Rana claimed 2-58 in an impressive display of pace bowling.
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh were dismissed for 278 in the first innings, riding on a brilliant 126 from Litton Das before bowling Pakistan out for 232 to secure a 46-run lead.
The hosts then strengthened their position through Mushfiqur Rahim, whose record-breaking 137 guided Bangladesh to 390 in the second innings and set Pakistan the daunting target.
Bangladesh had won the opening Test by 104 runs and are now just three wickets away from securing a second successive Test series sweep over Pakistan.
