After a day that swung firmly back in Bangladesh’s favour, Mehidy Hasan Miraz insists the first Test in Mirpur remains evenly poised. Bangladesh ended day three on 7 without loss in their second innings, leading by 34 runs, with Miraz identifying a target of around 290 to 300 as the minimum required to put Pakistan under genuine pressure.
“Obviously there are still two days left. The result is definitely still 50-50 because we haven’t got a big lead yet. We have to bat responsibly. In Mirpur, you can never say what score is safe. But if we can put up a minimum total that our bowlers can defend, I think around 290 or 300 could be a good score. Batting on this wicket on days four and five will be very difficult. Every batter has to take responsibility,” Miraz said at the post-day press conference.
The highest successful fourth-innings chase at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium remains England’s 209-run effort in 2010, a figure that underlines just how difficult batting last in Mirpur can be.
Pakistan resumed the day in a strong position but collapsed dramatically in the final session, losing their last four wickets for just 37 runs to be dismissed for 386 in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings total of 413. A rain interruption of nearly two hours had preceded the collapse, and Bangladesh’s bowlers made the most of the conditions when play resumed.
Miraz drove the collapse, first removing Salman Ali Agha for 58, then dismissing Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi to claim the 14th five-wicket haul of his Test career. Taijul Islam wrapped up the innings by bowling Hasan Ali. Seven of Pakistan’s 10 wickets fell to spin, with Miraz taking five and Taijul two.
Miraz was generous in crediting Nahid Rana’s contribution despite the young quick finishing with figures of 1 for 104 from 21 overs across the match.
“Rana bowled well. I think his first two spells were a bit expensive, but we kept giving him confidence and he provided us with a breakthrough, which was very important. As bowlers, we tried to keep hitting one area consistently. The message for everyone was simple: if we bowl in the right areas regularly, chances will come. We just tried to do that.”
Bangladesh’s first innings of 413 was built on Najmul Hossain Shanto’s century of 101 and half-centuries from Mominul Haque (91) and Mushfiqur Rahim (71). Pakistan’s reply of 386 was anchored by debutant Azan Awais, who scored 103 off 165 balls with 14 fours, while fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal contributed 60.
