Left-handed opener Najmul Hossain Shanto scored an unbeaten half-century as Bangladesh stretched their lead to 179 runs on a rain-hit fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan on Monday.
They were 152-3 in their second innings at the close on Sunday, Shanto having made an unbeaten 58 as he batted alongside Mushfiqur Rahim who was on 16 in the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
Bangladesh resumed on their overnight score 7-0 only to lost openers early, Mahmudul Hasan Joy trapped leg before off Mohammad Abbas for five.
Next to go was Shadman Islam who was caught at gully by Saud Shakeel off Hasan Ali for 10 to leave the hosts in trouble with just 23 runs on the board, now they were 23-2.
Shanto’s rescue act partnered with Mominul Haque (56) steadied the ship.
Despite the left-handed pair having inflicted a 170-run record third wicket stand in first innings, they put on 70 of 122 balls before lunch for Bangladesh at 92-2.
There were other times when Pakistan was given an opportunity to push for more but Mominul was put down by Mohammad Rizwan.
Heavy rain, which had already affected the morning session for 90 minutes, continued for nearly three hours to wash out the afternoon action.
After the resumption, Shanto and Mominul built their partnership to 105 off 193 balls — only Bangladesh’s third century stand between that pair in Tests and only the third time a Bangladesh pair has posted century stands in both innings of the same match.
Mominul was soon to his fifty, scoring it off 102 balls and also going past the tally of 5k Test runs.
After the bang on the body to get saluted at 50, he was out for 56, caught behind off Shaheen Shah Afridi one ball later.
Riding on Shanto (101), Mominul (91) and Mushfiqur (71), Bangladesh scored 413 in their first innings.
Pakistan’s most successful bowler was Abbas, who bagged 5-92.
After Azan’s century on debut, Pakistan — who opted to field first — replied with 386.
Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful remained hopeful of his side’s chances on Day 5.
“We are playing to win. I reckon if we are able to bowl 70-75 overs tomorrow and God willing no rain, there will be the possibility to have 98 overs played. I believe we will get an opportunity to win,” Ashraful said.
Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha said he was confident that his team could successfully chase any target.
“Absolutely the win is on our mind,” he said at the end of day’s play.
Salman said: “We will chase it down, if they are gutsy enough to provide us with 70 overs and put up 260.”
Tomorrow is an exciting day of Test cricket and we just want to get them out as early as possible.