Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam missed a fighting hundred but still guided Bangladesh to an impressive 316-5 by close of day three in the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
The left-hander scored a patient 183-ball 93 to ensure the visitors’ chances of a draw or pulling off a first-ever win over Pakistan in the 14th Test between the rivals.
At close, veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim was 55* while Liton Das was 52* to further Bangladesh’s progress, having added a solid 98 runs for the unfinished sixth wicket stand.
Bangladesh trail Pakistan’s total of 448-6 declared by 132 runs with five wickets in hand as the Rawalpindi pitch proved unresponsive to bowlers – nearly quashing Pakistan’s hopes of a big lead.
Rahim hit Shaheen Shah Afridi for his seventh boundary to reach his 28th Test half-century. Das also completed 50 with three boundaries and a six in one Naseem Shah’s over after Pakistan took the second new ball.
“The match is even,” said Pakistan’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, a former all-rounder. “We were not disciplined in the last 12 overs but, still, if we get a 80-90 run lead then we can make a match out of it.”
Bangladesh’s Mominul Haque, who made 50, believed his team can win.
“Definitely, we believe in positive things,” said Haque. “The first session tomorrow will be crucial and if we don’t lose early wickets it will be better. I think spinners might get turn and bounce.”
But Bangladesh’s resistance was led by Shadman.
The 29-year-old left-hander was defiant but was bowled by a sharp delivery from Pakistan pacer Mohammad Ali in the last over before tea.
Pakistan also dismissed Shakib Al Hasan for 15 as the ace all-rounder played a loose shot against Saim Ayub as the part-time spinner got a maiden wicket in his first Test over.
Pacer Khurram Shahzad was the pick of bowlers with 2-47 while Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali and Ayub had a wicket each. Spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi failed to get one in 18 overs.
Earlier, it was Shadman who added 52 runs for the fourth wicket with Rahim following his stubborn 94-run stand with Haque.
Shadman hit 12 boundaries in his fighting five-hour 29-minute stay at the crease.
Haque was the only batsman dismissed in the post-lunch session when he missed a delivery from Shahzad and was bowled. He hit five boundaries in his 76-ball innings.
It was Shadman who anchored his team’s fight as Pakistan’s pace attack looked less effective on the slow pitch.
The Shadman-Haque stand led the recovery after Pakistan removed Zakir Hasan (12) and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (16) in the extended three-hour session due to Friday prayers.
Pakistan employed all four pace bowlers but were missing the services of a frontline spinner.
Part-time slow bowler Agha Salman had Shadman lbw on 57 but the decision was overturned on review.
Resuming at 27-0, Bangladesh lost Zakir to a smart catch by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, diving to his left to take a one-handed catch in Shah’s fifth over of the day.
Shanto looked good during his short knock but was bowled between bat and pad by Shahzad, leaving the visitors on 53-2.
The second and final Test will also be played in Rawalpindi from 30 August, with the series part of the nine-team World Test Championship’s third cycle (2023-2025).
© Agence France-Presse
