Bangladesh have reached 152 for 3 at stumps on day four of the first Test against Pakistan, extending their lead to 179 runs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Bad light ended the final session early, with rain having already wiped out the entire second session after lunch.
Pakistan made a bright start to the morning session, removing both openers cheaply. Mohammad Abbas trapped Mahmudul Hasan Joy lbw for 5, while Hasan Ali removed Shadman Islam for 10, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 23 for 2.
That brought together the same partnership that had done the damage in the first innings. Mominul Haque and Shanto batted with patience and absorbed Pakistan’s pressure to steady the innings. The pair, who put on 170 for the third wicket in the first innings, once again frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers as the session wore on. Bangladesh reached lunch at 93 for 2, with Mominul on 37 and Shanto on 34.
Rain then swallowed the entire second session without a ball being bowled, handing Bangladesh a fortunate reprieve and denying Pakistan any momentum.
When play resumed in the final session, Shaheen Afridi broke the partnership with a delivery outside off that drew a faint edge from Mominul, caught low by Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps. Mominul departed for a gritty 56 off 120 balls. Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim then held firm until bad light forced the players off, with Shanto unbeaten on 58 and Mushfiqur on 16 at stumps.
Bangladesh began the day with a lead of 34 runs. Pakistan now faces a challenging fifth-day chase on a surface expected to assist spin. With Bangladesh still three wickets in hand and a lead approaching 180, the hosts will look to bat well into the final day before setting Pakistan a target.
Bangladesh had posted 413 in their first innings, with Shanto scoring 101 and Mominul contributing 91. Pakistan responded with 386, where debutant Azan Awais struck 103 and Abdullah Fazal hit 60. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets for Bangladesh.
