Mehidy takes five as Bangladesh secure slim lead on Day-3
In response to Bangladesh's first innings total of 413, Pakistan fold for 386 with Azan Awais scoring century on his debut
By Alam Zeb Safi
MIRPUR, Bangladesh: Bangladesh held a slender 34-run lead over Pakistan at the close of a rain-affected Day 3 in the first Test after off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed a five-wicket haul to secure a narrow first-innings advantage for the hosts.
In a see-saw battle at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Bangladesh reached 7-0 in their second innings before fading light and persistent drizzle forced an early end to play.
The day was defined by a shift in momentum; Pakistan’s middle order faltered against Miraz’s disciplined spin after a position of strength. Miraz finished with 5-102, dismantling the visitors’ lower half just as they looked poised to surpass the hosts’ total.
The tourists’ resistance was led by young opener Azan Awais, who converted his overnight start into a maiden Test century. Awais struck 103 off 165 balls before falling to Taskin Ahmed. A middle-order collapse saw Pakistan slip from 210-1 to 230-5, but a resilient 119-run partnership between Salman Agha (58) and Mohammad Rizwan (59) briefly steadied the ship.
However, once Rizwan fell to Taijul Islam, the tail crumbled, with Pakistan losing their final five wickets for just 37 runs. Bangladesh survived a tricky 1.5-over spell before the elements intervened.
Summarised Scores:
Bangladesh 1st Innings: 413 all out (117.1 overs)
Najmul Hossain Shanto 101, Mominul Haque 91, Mushfiqur Rahim 71
Mohammad Abbas 5-92, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-113
Pakistan 1st Innings: 386 all out (100.3 overs)
Azan Awais 103, Abdullah Fazal 60, Mohammad Rizwan 59, Salman Agha 58
Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-102, Taskin Ahmed 2-70, Taijul Islam 2-46
Bangladesh 2nd Innings: 7-0 (1.5 overs)
Mahmudul Hasan Joy 2*, Shadman Islam 0*
Bangladesh lead by 34 runs
