The first test between Pakistan and Bangladesh has reached a crucial point. On the third day, Bangladesh bowled Pakistan out for 386 and in reply Bangladesh started steadily posting 7 runs in the final session of day 3 but, more importantly it did not lose a wicket. The hosts began day four strongly as Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque slammed half-centuries.
Bangladesh starts the day on a Positive note, but Pakistan strikes early
Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan started things nicely for the home side as they scored a boundary each off Shaheen Afridi. It was a poor start by Shaheen as he literally gifted those two boundaries by bowling on the pads and just outside the off stump. However, in the 6th over, Mohammed Abbas trapped Hasan for an LBW which gave Pakistan the first wicket of the day. Hasan trying to flick the ball. missed it and was sent back to the pavilion.
There was some intent shown by Bangladesh as even after the wicket of Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam continued to punish the short and wide length of Shaheen Afridi. he smoked Afridi on the second ball of the sixth over for a boundary putting the pressure back on Pakistan although, a smart move by the captain Shan Masood prevented further assault. in the 10th over, Masood gave the ball to Hasan Ali who made a quick impact. On the last ball of the 10th over Hasan surprised Shadman Islam with a sharp bounce. Islam edged the ball to Saud Shakeel standing at Gully and Pakistan had the second wicket of the morning.
Hasan Joy played nicely for his 26-ball five runs meanwhile Shadman scored 10 from 22 balls. The opening pair has been an issue with Bangladesh in this test. Hasan and Shadman have only managed 13 and 23 runs combined the first and second innings, respectively.
Mominul and Shanto lead the fightback for the hosts
Bangladesh fought back really well as captain Najmul Hussain Shanto with Mominul Haque slowly steered the innings. both played a key role in the first innings and repeated the same in the third innings.
Overall, the first session belonged to Bangladesh, irrespective of the two wickets by Pakistan, the captain and Mominul steadied the ship. Mominul batting on 37, has struck three boundaries while the captain is not-out 34 with four boundaries to his name. Pakistan’s bowling has been shambolic so far with only Hasan Ali and Abbas picking a wicket each.
The lead for Bangladesh is 120 after the first session and it would be important to see how Haque and Shanto approach the second session. After 31 overs Bangladesh is 93 for the loss of two wickets with a good lead of 120 runs. The weather has prevented the start of second session. Mominul and Shanto have stitched together an important partnership of 70 from 122 balls.
Lead nears 200 as Shanto and Haque complete half-centuries
Session 2 was ultimately called off as the rain went on for longer than expected, but the Umpires and the curator ensured that the final session did not face further delay and the play finally resumed at 3:45 PM. Bangladesh’s lead is slowly moving closer to 200.
The third and final session was an absorbing one where Bangladesh pressed on the lead stretching it beyond 150. The captain Najmul Shanto slammed the first boundary to get things underway for Bangladesh. it was an ordinary ball by Hasan Ali; he bowled it a tad fuller on the pads and it was bread and butter for Shanto as he whipped it past the square leg umpire.
In the 36th over Shan Masood brought in spinner Noman Ali hoping that spin would change his luck and it almost did. On the last ball of the over Mominul Haque gave a gift to Abdullah Fazal who failed to cling on to it. Fazal standing at short leg dropped a sitter giving a life to Mominul who was batting on 43.
Pakistan’s sub-par fielding has again been the talking point as it dropped two catches today. Earlier in the 22nd over, a missed opportunity and now the dropped catch by Fazal. Shanto and Mominul reached consecutive half-centuries, and the duo’s 105 runs partnership hurt Pakistan. Mominul Haque scored fifth consecutive test match fifty sweeping a ball from Noman Ali for a single in the 38th over. Najmul Hossain Shanto followed soon for his sixth fifty.
Partnership broken but Bangladesh far ahead
The 43rd over was a happening over of the day because, as soon as Shanto reached his half-century, his partner lost his concentration edging a slightly a length ball to Mohammed Rizwan. the edge was so obvious that Pakistan celebrated even before the Umpire raised his finger. Rizwan went low to his right and grabbed the ball in his gloves.
Shaheen Afridi gave the much-needed breakthrough as Mominul walked back scoring 56 from 120 balls, an innings which displayed significant character and toughness. despite the efforts from Pakistan, Bangladesh has raced ahead in the contest. Mushfiqur Rahim, smashed a boundary of his third ball in the 44th over which frustrated Noman Ali.
Bad Light ended the day but not without leaving the hosts in a great position. Bangladesh leads by 179 runs and will look to go near 200 tomorrow. The captain is still unperturbed on 58 from 105 balls while Mushfiqur Rahim has 16 runs to his name. Bangladesh has scored 152 runs losing three wickets at the end of day four.
Exciting final day awaits a result
Some enthralling cricket was played in this test match, and it is still not over as the final and deciding day awaits us all. Bad Light forced the play to end early on day 4 but all three results are still possible in this test match. Bangladesh is in command, but it should not lose the momentum and look to bat throughout the first session.
Early start is predicted for tomorrow and the play will start at 9:15 instead of the regular time of 9:30. Mushfiqur survived some close calls, but the captain is absolutely focussed. Overall, it was Bangladesh’s day as losing just three wickets helped them while Pakistan will need some more help from its bowlers tomorrow.
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