Bangladesh declared their second innings at 240 for nine on the fifth morning of the first Test against Pakistan in Mirpur, setting a target of 268 runs after extending their overall lead beyond 200.
Najmul Hossain Shanto led the innings with 87 from 150 balls, but he fell early in the final day when he attempted a reverse sweep against Noman Ali and missed the line. The ball struck the pad and the review failed to save him.
Mushfiqur Rahim added 22 before falling to Hasan Ali, edging to Shan Masood at mid-off after mistiming a drive over the infield. Litton Das scored 11 as Bangladesh pushed the tempo, but he miscued a pull shot off Shaheen Shah Afridi and was caught at fine leg by Hasan Ali.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 24 off 27 balls and briefly lifted scoring with aggressive intent, including a six off Noman Ali. He also survived a missed stumping chance off Mohammad Rizwan when Pakistan failed to complete a dismissal after he advanced down the pitch.
Bangladesh lost quick wickets after Shanto’s dismissal, including Taijul Islam for three and Mehidy soon after, before Taskin Ahmed struck a quick 11 late in the innings. Shanto’s knock included seven boundaries and held the innings together through the middle period.
Bangladesh’s lower order pushed the total to 240 before Shanto declared, leaving Pakistan 268 to win. Pakistan now face a minimum of two sessions to chase the target, depending on conditions in Mirpur.
Earlier, Bangladesh built their position on a first-innings lead after posting 413 against Pakistan’s 386, setting up a tense final day with the series finely balanced in Dhaka.
