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MIRPUR: Bangladesh tightened their grip on the opening Test against Pakistan after ending the third day with a 34-run lead at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.
At stumps, Bangladesh were 7 without loss in their second innings after bowling Pakistan out for 386 in reply to the hosts’ first-innings total of 413.
Openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy was unbeaten on 2 while Shadman Islam remained scoreless as Bangladesh safely negotiated the closing overs of the day.
Pakistan resumed their innings earlier looking to reduce the deficit and managed to post a competitive total, but still conceded a 27-run first-innings lead to the hosts.
The visitors were powered by solid contributions from their top and middle order batters, while Bangladesh bowlers kept striking at crucial intervals to prevent Pakistan from taking control of the match.
Bangladesh’s first innings was anchored by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored a brilliant 101, while Mominul Haque added 91 runs. Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim also played an important knock of 71 to guide the hosts beyond the 400-run mark.
For Pakistan, fast bowler Mohammad Abbas was the standout performer in the first innings with a five-wicket haul, while Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed three wickets.
In Bangladesh’s second innings, Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Abbas and Shaheen, maintained disciplined lines in the brief spell before stumps but failed to make an early breakthrough.
The match remains evenly poised heading into the fourth day, with Bangladesh aiming to build a sizeable target while Pakistan will look for quick wickets to stay in contention in the first Test of the two-match series.
