Bangladesh stretched their lead to 249 runs against Pakistan by lunch on day three of the second Test in Sylhet after Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim added an unbeaten 88-run stand for the fifth wicket on Monday. The hosts reached 203-4 from 53 overs in their second innings.
The morning session carried huge weight in the context of the match. Bangladesh started the day with a lead of 156 runs and needed a steady first session after already pushing Pakistan onto the back foot on day two.
Pakistan struck early when Khurram Shahzad trapped Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw for 15. The Bangladesh captain reviewed the decision but failed to overturn it. Shanto scored his runs from 46 balls and added only five more runs with Mushfiqur after the overnight restart.
Litton then joined Mushfiqur and shifted the momentum back towards Bangladesh. The pair rotated strike consistently and punished loose deliveries whenever Pakistan missed their lengths. Litton attacked more freely against the spinners and moved to 48 not out from 66 balls by lunch, while Mushfiqur stayed unbeaten on 39 from 80 deliveries.
Bangladesh crossed the 200-run lead during the 41st over when Litton pushed a single into the off side. Pakistan’s bowlers created little pressure after the early wicket and failed to break the partnership before the interval.
Bangladesh had already built a strong platform on day two after taking a 46-run first-innings lead. Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck 52 from 64 balls, while Mominul Haque added 30 before Khurram removed him late in the evening session.
The hosts posted 278 in the first innings before bowling Pakistan out for 232. Bangladesh now hold firm control of the Test heading into the afternoon session, with seven wickets still in hand and the pitch beginning to offer uneven bounce.
