Pakistan crept closer to winning the second and final Test after leaving Bangladesh on Friday with nearly 500 runs, effectively eight wickets, and two days to deny the visitors a series victory. After Pakistan declared for a second time and set an unlikely target of 550 to win the test, Bangladesh lost a wicket and was 63-1 at stumps.
But the home side had only eight more wickets left, as fast bowler Shahadat Hossain cannot bat after a serious knee injury on the first day. Bangladesh was all out for 203 in the first innings before lunch. Pakistan, with a lead of 354, did not enforce the follow-on, and piled on quick runs to put intense pressure on Bangladesh.
Bangladesh will have to go where it’s never gone to keep this Ttest alive, and on a pitch that was beginning to offer wicked turn and bounce. At the crease were Tamim Iqbal on 32, and Mominul Haque on 15. Imrul Kayes was bowled for the second time in the match by legspinner Yasir Shah. Bangladesh started the day batting, from 107-5 overnight. Shakib Al Hasan’s 89 not out off 91 balls lifted them to 203 all out.
Pakistan decided to bat again, and was set back initially when fast bowler Shahid removed openers Mohammad Hafeez (0) and Sami Aslam (8) to leave Pakistan at 25-2. Medium-pacer Soumya Sarkar accounted for Azhar Ali for 25, but then Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq regained the momentum. Misbah went after the bowlers, with a rapid 82. He smashed nine fours and three sixes. As soon as he got out, Pakistan declared.
Brief Score
Pakistan: 557 /8d & 195/6d (Misbah 82, Younis 39, Shahid 2-23) lead Bangladesh: 203 & 63/1 (Tamim 32*, Mominul 13*) need 487 runs.