Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed 5-32 as Pakistan closed in on victory in the first cricket test against Bangladesh on Monday.
Afridi’s fourth five-wicket haul in tests wrapped up Bangladesh’s second innings for 157 on Day 4, setting Pakistan a 202-run target to win. Openers Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique then helped Pakistan reach 109-0 at stumps, leaving the team needing 93 more runs on the final day.
Ali, who scored 133 in the first innings, was on 56 and debutant Shafique was unbeaten on 53 when bad light ended play early for the fourth consecutive day.
Bangladesh had a 44-run first-innings lead after posting 330 and then bowling Pakistan out for 286.
“We just had a terrible last session yesterday which put us under a lot of pressure in the game,” Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said.
“They (Pakistan) need another 93 runs, so it will need something really special. Anything is possible in test cricket. We have to come tomorrow morning believing we still have a chance. If we can pick up one or two wickets in the first half an hour, anything is possible.”