Agencies | Dhaka:
Bangladesh national cricket team moved to the brink of another historic Test series clean sweep over Pakistan national cricket team after dominating proceedings on the fourth day of the second Test in Sylhet.
Bangladesh now require just three wickets on the final day to seal a memorable 2-0 series victory, while Pakistan still need an unlikely 121 runs for victory with only three wickets remaining.
Pakistan’s resistance was led by captain Mohammad Rizwan, who remained unbeaten on 75 after producing a determined innings under immense pressure. Rizwan, along with Salman Agha, stitched together a crucial 134-run partnership that frustrated Bangladesh for more than three hours during the final session.
The pair came together after Pakistan lost three quick wickets and appeared headed for a collapse. Instead, they counterattacked intelligently, rotating strike consistently and handling both spin and pace with composure as Bangladesh searched desperately for breakthroughs.
Rizwan and Agha used their feet effectively against spin while capitalising on loose deliveries from the seamers, briefly reviving Pakistan’s hopes of an unlikely escape.
Tensions rose during the final hour when Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das expressed frustration after Rizwan delayed play due to disturbances near the sightscreen. Despite the growing intensity on the field, the Pakistani duo remained focused and continued to frustrate the hosts.
However, Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam eventually broke the stand in dramatic fashion. Bowling alongside pacer Nahid Rana with the new ball, Taijul produced a delivery that skidded through Salman Agha’s defence and crashed into the stumps, triggering wild celebrations among the home side.
Pakistan’s lower order offered little resistance afterwards, leaving Bangladesh just three wickets away from victory heading into the fifth and final day.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh made early inroads as Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed Pakistan’s young openers quickly.
Rana struck first with a sharp short-pitched delivery that dismissed Abdullah Fazal, while Mehidy trapped Azan Awais lbw soon after.
Despite the early setbacks, Pakistan showed positive intent through Babar Azam and captain Shan Masood. Babar played several fluent strokes, including a top-edged boundary over the slips, while Masood countered both pace and spin with confidence.
The pair added valuable runs before lunch, with Masood bringing up his first half-century of the series.
However, Bangladesh once again seized control through Taijul Islam. Babar fell attempting a flick down the leg side, edging behind to Litton Das, while Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood departed in quick succession to leave Pakistan in deep trouble.
Masood’s dismissal, caught sharply at short leg by Mahmudul Hasan Joy, appeared to have all but sealed Pakistan’s fate before Rizwan and Agha mounted their resistance.
Although the partnership delayed Bangladesh’s celebrations, the hosts remain overwhelming favourites heading into the final day after dominating almost every session of the series so far.
