Bangladesh scored 390 in their second innings on Monday at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium to set a 437-run target in the second Test against Pakistan. Mushfiqur Rahim led the innings with his 14th Test century before Bangladesh lost their final wicket late in the day.
Mushfiqur resumed after tea on 90 and reached three figures from 178 balls. He drove Mohammad Abbas through cover-point for four to bring up the landmark. The century moved him clear of Mominul Haque for the most Test hundreds by a Bangladesh batter.
The senior batter arrived after Najmul Hossain Shanto’s dismissal and rebuilt the innings with Litton Das. The pair added 123 for the sixth wicket and pushed Bangladesh’s lead beyond 350. Litton made 69 before Hasan Ali removed him.
Mushfiqur also crossed 16,000 international runs during the innings, another mark no Bangladesh batter has reached before. He struck nine fours and one six in a patient knock that forced Pakistan’s bowlers through long spells on a slow surface.
Pakistan found brief relief when Sajid Khan broke the 77-run stand between Mushfiqur and Taijul Islam. Taijul scored 22 from 51 balls and attacked the spinners to keep Bangladesh moving. Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam followed the same approach late in the innings as Bangladesh chased quick runs before the close.
Hasan Ali removed Taskin in the push for quick runs, while Sajid dismissed Shoriful at long-off. Bangladesh still stretched the lead beyond 430 before the innings ended.
Pakistan now need 437 on a wearing Sylhet pitch. Bangladesh’s spinners will expect assistance from the rough outside the right-handers’ off stump across the final two days.
