Bangladesh moved within three wickets of a series sweep against Pakistan national cricket team after a tense fourth day in Sylhet. Pakistan reached 316-7 in their second innings, still 121 runs short of the 437-run target. Taijul Islam broke the key stand late in the evening and handed the hosts fresh control before stumps.
Pakistan resumed on nought without loss and lost both openers inside 16 overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz made the first breakthrough when Abdullah Fayyaz edged Nahid Rana and Miraz took a diving catch at point for two. Miraz then trapped Azan Awais lbw for 21.
After the early damage, captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam rebuilt the innings with a controlled partnership. They respected the fuller balls, left well outside off stump and punished width whenever Bangladesh missed their lines. The pair added 92 runs for the third wicket from 115 deliveries.
Taijul ended the stand in the 35th over. Babar gloved a glance through to wicketkeeper Litton Das and departed for 47. Bangladesh then attacked with spin and short-leg pressure. Nahid Rana removed Saud Shakeel for six after another catch from Litton.
The biggest moment arrived in the 45th over. Shan clipped Taijul towards forward short leg, where Mahmudul Hasan Joy pulled off a sharp diving catch. Shan fell for 71 from 116 balls with eight fours, 29 runs short of a century. Pakistan slipped to 162-5.
Bangladesh sensed a quick finish, but Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha resisted with a sixth-wicket stand worth 134 runs. Rizwan absorbed pressure against the spinners, while Salman attacked loose deliveries and rotated strike consistently.
Taijul finally broke through when he bowled Salman for 71. Two overs later, Hasan Ali edged to slip after surviving only six balls. Bangladesh closed the day with momentum again, but Pakistan still carry hopes into the final morning.
