By Alam Zeb Safi
SYLHET, Bangladesh: A gritty unbeaten 75 from wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan kept Pakistan’s hopes alive on a tense fourth day as the visitors battled to stave off defeat against a relentless Bangladesh spin attack in the second Test at Sylhet.
Chasing a monumental fourth innings target of 437, Pakistan reached 316 for seven at stumps on Tuesday, needing a further 121 runs on the final day for an improbable victory. Bangladesh require just three wickets to seal the match and clean sweep of a two Test match series.
The match, which flipped dynamically after Bangladesh posted 390 in their second innings on the back of a magnificent 137 from veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, has turned into a classic final-day script.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Taijul Islam did the heavy lifting on Day 4. Islam claimed figures of 4-113 over a marathon 31-over shift, breaking key partnerships just as Pakistan threatened to take control.
Skipper Shan Masood led the initial resistance with a fluent 71, partnering with Babar Azam (47) to steady the ship after early losses. The duo shared 92 for the third wicket stand. However, Islam broke through, capturing Azam, caught behind by Litton Das and later trapping Masood via a sharp catch from Mahmudul Hasan Joy at short leg to leave Pakistan reeling at 162-5.
Faced with a rapid collapse, Rizwan joined Salman Agha to forge the innings’ most productive stand. The duo combined for a resilient 134-run partnership for the sixth wicket, frustrating the home side’s bowling plans across the afternoon session.
Agha struck 71 off 102 balls, including six boundaries and a six, before Islam struck again with the second new ball, clean-bowling Agha in the 82nd over. It was a straighter one, which sneaked through the big gap between pad and bat. Islam then removed tail-ender Hasan Ali for a duck two overs later, swinging momentum firmly back to the hosts.
Rizwan remained immovable, anchor-man for his side with an unbeaten 75 off 134 balls, featuring eight boundaries. Alongside him, Sajid Khan (8 not out) navigated the final overs to guide Pakistan to safety at the close of play.
Summarised scores
Bangladesh 1st innings 278 all out: Litton Das 126, Khurram Shahzad 4-81
Pakistan 1st innings: 232 all out (Babar Azam 68, Sajid Khan 38, Nahid Rana 3-60, Taijul Islam 3-67
Bangladesh 2nd innings: 390 all out (Mushfiqur Rahim 137, Litton Das 69, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 52; Khurram Shahzad 4-86, Sajid Khan 3-186
Pakistan 2nd innings 316-7 (Mohammad Rizwan batting 75, Shan Masood 71, Agha Salman 71, Babar Azam 47,, Taijul Islam 4-113..
Pakistan need 121 more runs to win the match.
