Bangladesh stands within three wickets of securing a series sweep against Pakistan, having reduced the visiting team to 316-7 on Day 4 of the second test. Pakistan faces an improbable chase of 437 runs in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was instrumental in Bangladesh's advance, claiming four crucial wickets during the day's play.
Mohammad Rizwan remains Pakistan's last hope, batting on 75 runs, with Sajid Khan at the crease on 8 runs as stumps were called. Earlier in the day, Salman Agha and skipper Shan Masood each contributed 71 runs, helping Pakistan extend the match into a fifth day.
Pakistan's batting coach, Asad Shafiq, expressed a guarded optimism, stating, “There is hope, of course.” Shafiq added that the batting unit’s performance provided confidence, noting, “There are 121 runs left and Rizwan is batting really well. ... If another partnership develops and goes long, we have a chance.”
Match Progression
Taijul Islam broke a threatening 134-run partnership between Agha and Rizwan. He bowled Agha with a slider before quickly removing Hasan Ali for a duck. Fast bowler Nahid Rana also contributed significantly, taking 2-58 with raw pace that consistently troubled the Pakistan batsmen throughout the day. Rana secured Bangladesh's first breakthrough by dismissing Abdullah Fazal for 6, who steered a short-pitch ball to gully. Soon after, offspinner Mehidy Hasan trapped Azan Awais lbw for 21.
Masood and Babar Azam mounted a period of resistance, successfully negotiating Nahid Rana's bowling and maintaining a steady flow of runs. Their 91-run stand concluded when Taijul dismissed Babar, caught down the leg side for 47 runs. Saud Shakeel then edged a pacy delivery from Nahid behind the stumps. Taijul subsequently had Masood caught at short-leg, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 162-6, and giving Bangladesh a strong sense of an impending victory within four days.
Player Contributions
Rizwan displayed grit, valuing his wicket and sweeping Taijul past square leg for a boundary to achieve his 14th fifty. Agha joined him shortly after, reaching his 12th fifty off 74 balls. However, Agha's ambitious shot ultimately led to his dismissal by Taijul, keeping Bangladesh firmly on the front foot.
Bangladesh bowling coach Shaun Tait lauded Taijul's performance, remarking, “That was a warrior effort from Taijul, to bowl all day in those conditions and then take the new ball at the end and get those wickets was fantastic.” Tait acknowledged Pakistan's temporary advantage, but concluded, “They (Pakistan) got on top of us for a period of time, but taking those two wickets late in the day means we go back to the dressing room fairly happy.”
In the first innings, Bangladesh was bowled out for 278, with Litton Das scoring 126. Pakistan was then dismissed for 232. The hosts, propelled by a 137-run contribution from Mushfiqur Rahim, posted 390 in their second innings, setting Pakistan a formidable 400-plus target. Historically, no team has successfully chased more than 418 runs for victory in test cricket. Bangladesh previously won the first test by 104 runs and is now bidding for a second successive series sweep over Pakistan.