Pakistan Lose Five Wickets as Bangladesh Fight Back Strongly in Second Test at Sylhet
Bangladesh put up a fierce fight against Pakistan in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, leaving the visitors at 200-5 at tea on day four while defending a hefty target of 437 runs. Pakistan started the second session at 101-2 but quickly lost three crucial wickets as Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam tightened their grip on the match.
Babar Azam and Shan Masood had steadied the ship with a vital 92-run partnership after some early hiccups. However, Taijul Islam broke that partnership by sending Babar back for a determined 47 off 52 balls, which included four boundaries and a six. Shortly after, Nahid Rana dismissed Saud Shakeel cheaply for just six runs, leaving Pakistan in a tough spot at 154-4.
Shan Masood kept the innings steady and reached his 14th Test fifty, helping Pakistan cross the 150-run mark. But Taijul struck again, getting the Pakistan captain out for a solid 71 off 116 balls, featuring eight boundaries.
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Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha then chipped in with some useful runs, guiding Pakistan past 200, ending the session unbeaten on 15 and 25 respectively, though they still needed 237 more runs to clinch victory.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan started their innings cautiously, with Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal putting together 27 runs for the opening wicket before Nahid Rana dismissed Fazal for six. Mehidy Hasan Miraz then took out Azan for 21, putting Pakistan under pressure at 41-2.
Bangladesh had earlier scored 278 in their first innings after recovering from a shaky 116-6, thanks to Litton Das’ brilliant 126 off 159 balls. Pakistan responded with 232, giving away a 46-run lead despite Babar Azam’s fighting 68. In Bangladesh’s second innings, Mushfiqur Rahim shone with 137, while Litton Das and Mahmudul Hasan Joy also contributed valuable runs to set Pakistan a daunting target of 437 runs.