Bangladesh Toy with Pakistan in Sylhet Test
Mominul Haque and Mahmudul Hasan batted brilliantly, although both fell before the innings end.
Bangladesh’s bowlers lit up the morning session before the batters took control late in the day as the hosts tightened their grip on the Sylhet Test against Pakistan. After bowling Pakistan out for 232 in the first innings, Bangladesh finished the day on 110 for 3 in their second innings, extending their lead to 156 runs.
Bangladesh began their second innings with a 46-run lead but lost debutant Tanzid Hasan early. Khurram Shehzad forced an outside edge from the opener, and Saud Shakeel completed the catch at gully. Tanzid scored 4.
After the early setback, Mominul Haque and Mahmudul Hasan counterattacked in an ODI-like approach. The pair added 76 runs off just 91 balls for the second wicket. Mahmudul brought up a brisk half-century off 58 deliveries before departing two runs later.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul then steadied the innings, but Mominul threw away his wicket late in the day. After scoring 30 off 60 balls, he edged an unnecessary poke off Shehzad into the wicketkeeper’s gloves. Bangladesh ended the day there, with Shanto unbeaten on 13.
Bangladesh had started the second morning exactly as they would have hoped. Under cloudy skies and in conditions ideal for fast bowling, the hosts struck early. Pakistan resumed on 21 without loss after batting six overs late on the opening day.
Taskin Ahmed made the breakthrough in the second over of the morning. Litton Das pulled off a sharp diving catch to his left after Abdullah Fazal edged behind for 9.
Taskin struck again soon after, removing the other opener Azan Awais, who had scored a century in the Dhaka Test. Azan made 13 before offering a catch at short leg as Pakistan slipped to 26 for 2.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz then halted Pakistan’s recovery. He dismissed captain Shan Masood for 21 to break a 38-run stand with Babar Azam. Miraz struck again by trapping Saud Shakeel in sustained pressure. Shakeel managed only 8 off 28 balls before mistiming a sweep into Litton Das’ gloves.
Pakistan went to lunch on 96 for 4.
Babar Azam looked well set and reached his fifty off 63 balls, but he failed to convert it into a big score. Nahid Rana removed him with a full-length delivery on middle stump that Babar flicked straight to Mushfiqur Rahim. He scored 68 off 84 balls, hitting 10 fours.
After Pakistan lost their fifth wicket on 142, Taijul Islam tightened Bangladesh’s grip on the innings. Agha Salman fell for 21 while attempting a sweep, giving Mominul a catch at backward square leg.
Pakistan continued losing wickets at regular intervals. Taijul bowled Mohammad Rizwan for 13 and later dismissed Hasan Ali for 18, caught at long-on. Nahid Rana claimed his second wicket when Khurram Shehzad fell for 10, leaving Pakistan on the verge of collapse.
However, Sajid Khan launched a brief counterattack in the final wicket stand, smashing 38 off 28 balls in a T20-style cameo. Nahid eventually ended the innings, while Tanzid Tamim completed a fine diving catch.
Pakistan were all out for 232, handing Bangladesh a 46-run first-innings lead.
Taijul Islam and Nahid Rana took three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two apiece.
