Bangladesh pushed Pakistan deeper into trouble on the fifth day of the first Test in Mirpur after reducing the tourists to 131 for five in pursuit of 268. Pakistan reached tea on 116 for three before Bangladesh struck twice in quick succession to regain control at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Abdullah Fazal and Salman Ali Agha steadied Pakistan after an early collapse. The pair added 51 for the fourth wicket and briefly eased the pressure on a wearing surface. Fazal attacked anything short and reached 66 from 113 balls with 11 fours.
Taijul Islam broke the stand with a successful review early in the final session. Umpire’s call initially saved Fazal, but ball tracking showed the delivery hitting leg stump. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto overturned the decision and ended a partnership that lasted 99 balls.
Taskin Ahmed struck again one over later. Salman edged a delivery outside off stump to gully, where Shadman Islam held the catch despite taking a blow to the chest. Salman scored 26 from 39 balls.
Pakistan survived another scare when Saud Shakeel escaped on umpire’s call after Bangladesh reviewed for lbw. The ball clipped the stumps, but the original decision stayed. Shakeel had 10 at the time.
Earlier, Bangladesh declared on 240 for nine after adding 88 runs in 20 overs during the morning session. Shanto top-scored with 87 from 150 balls after his first-innings century. He fell lbw to Noman Ali while attempting a reverse sweep and missed the chance to record twin hundreds.
Noman took three wickets and moved to 101 Test wickets. Hasan Ali also claimed three wickets and held a sharp catch at deep square leg. Shaheen শাহ Afridi and Mohammad Abbas chipped in with two and one wickets respectively.
Pakistan still require 137 runs with five wickets in hand. Bangladesh need five more wickets to take the opening Test.
