SYLHET, Bangladesh (AP) — Shan Masood and Babar Azam helped Pakistan recover from an early slump to 101-2 at lunch on Day 4 of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan require a further 336 runs to pull off an unlikely win and level the two-test series.
Chasing the giant target of 437 runs, Pakistan began their fourth innings from 0-0 but lost their first wicket as debutant opener Abdullah Fazal was dismissed by Nahid Rana for six off 28 balls.
The wicket broke a watchful opening stand of 27 runs and gave Bangladesh a vital morning breakthrough.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz then dismissed fellow opener Azan Awais after the latter scored 21 off 49 balls, including two boundaries, leaving the visitors in a precarious position at 41-2 in 16 overs.
Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam combined to steady the innings through a composed third-wicket partnership as Bangladesh threatened to tighten their grip on the contest.
The experienced duo confidently negotiated the rest of the session, adding an unbeaten 60-run stand to take Pakistan safely to the lunch interval without further damage.
Masood was 41 not out at the break, and Babar was 24 not out as Pakistan looked to keep their hopes alive in a tough fourth-innings chase.
Earlier on Day 3, Bangladesh had declared at 390 in their second innings, as a record-breaking 14th Test century from Mushfiqur Rahim had put the hosts firmly in the driving seat of the match.
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