Bangladesh stretched their lead beyond 200 runs against Pakistan on the final day of the first Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur after losing Mushfiqur Rahim early in the morning session.
Bangladesh resumed on 152 for three and moved to 177 for four after the first phase of play. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto held the innings together with an unbeaten 71, while Litton Das stayed alongside him on six.
Pakistan struck quickly through Hasan Ali. Mushfiqur, who resumed on 16 overnight, added only six more before departing for 22 off 37 balls. He tried to attack a full delivery from Hasan by lofting the ball over the bowler’s head, but mistimed the shot.
The ball flew towards mid-off off the outside half of the bat, and Shan Masood completed a straightforward catch.
Bangladesh still controlled the session through Shanto’s calm approach. He rotated the strike, punished loose deliveries and kept Pakistan’s bowlers from building sustained pressure. Pakistan searched for movement with the second new ball, but Bangladesh avoided a collapse after Mushfiqur’s dismissal.
Litton supported Shanto with a cautious start as Bangladesh focused on stretching the game deeper into the final day. The home side carried a lead of more than 200 runs and strengthened their grip on the Test as the session progressed.
Pakistan now need quick wickets to pull themselves back into the contest on a wearing Mirpur surface.
