Pakistan’s senior batting trio — Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood — now face a defining challenge in Sylhet after Bangladesh set a massive 437-run target, putting the visitors on the brink of another painful Test defeat.
WEBDESK – MediaBites News
A brilliant century by Mushfiqur Rahim powered Bangladesh to 390 all out in their second innings on day three of the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, leaving Pakistan needing an improbable 437 runs to win.
At stumps, Pakistan were 0 without loss after two overs before bad light forced an early end to play.
With Pakistan already struggling for consistency in recent Test matches, the pressure now squarely falls on experienced campaigners Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and captain Shan Masood to rescue the team from another collapse on a deteriorating Sylhet pitch expected to favor spin on the final day.
Bangladesh resumed the day at 110 for 3 and quickly lost skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto for 15 after Khurram Shahzad trapped him lbw. However, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das completely shifted momentum with a dominant 123-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Litton Das played aggressively for his 69 before falling to Hasan Ali, while Mushfiqur anchored the innings superbly, bringing up his 14th Test century and becoming Bangladesh’s highest Test century-maker, surpassing Mominul Haque’s previous record.
Mushfiqur eventually scored a magnificent 137 off 233 balls before falling to Sajid Khan, who finished with three wickets. Khurram Shahzad was Pakistan’s best bowler with four wickets.
The match also saw tempers flare during the afternoon session when Shan Masood exchanged heated words with Mushfiqur and later Taijul Islam, but Bangladesh maintained control throughout the day.
Pakistan’s batting lineup now faces its toughest examination of the series. After a disappointing collapse in the previous Test and only 232 runs in the first innings here, questions remain whether the experienced middle-order can finally deliver under pressure.
Babar Azam had top-scored with 68 in Pakistan’s first innings, but the team will now require one of the greatest fourth-innings batting efforts in its recent Test history to avoid defeat.
Bangladesh’s spinners, led by Taijul Islam and supported by Nahid Rana, are expected to exploit the wearing surface aggressively on day four as the hosts push for a memorable victory.
Score Summary:
Bangladesh 1st innings: 278 all out (Litton Das 126)
Pakistan 1st innings: 232 all out (Babar Azam 68)
Bangladesh 2nd innings: 390 all out (Mushfiqur Rahim 137, Litton Das 69; Khurram Shahzad 4 wickets)
Pakistan 2nd innings: 0/0 in 2 overs
Target: 437 runs to win
