Bangladesh has edged closer to a historic victory as Pakistan lost five crucial wickets while chasing a monumental target of 437 runs on day four of the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. By the tea break, the Green Shirts had struggled their way to 200-5, still requiring an additional 237 runs to secure an unlikely win and level the two-match series.
Resuming the post-lunch session at 101-2, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under immense pressure from the home side’s bowling attack. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam provided the crucial breakthrough by dismissing star batter Babar Azam for 47, breaking a promising 92-run partnership with the captain. Shortly after, pacer Nahid Rana struck by removing Saud Shakeel cheaply for just 6 runs, leaving the visitors reeling at 154-4.
Skipper Shan Masood showed incredible resistance, fighting through the pressure to register his 14th Test half-century and guiding the team past the 150-run mark. However, Taijul Islam struck once more, dismissing Masood for a well-made 71 off 116 balls. Following his departure, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha joined forces, building a steady partnership that pushed the team’s total past 200 before the session concluded.
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh posted 278 in their first innings, recovered from a precarious 116-6 thanks to a brilliant 126 from Litton Das, while Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad claimed four wickets. In response, Pakistan was bowled out for 232, conceding a 46-run lead despite Babar’s fighting 68. Bangladesh then capitalized on their advantage, racking up 390 runs in their second innings behind an exceptional century from veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, leaving the Pakistan cricket team facing a daunting fourth-innings chase to save the match.
