SYLHET: Shan Masood hit a fighting half-century, but Pakistan continued to be under pressure at 200-5 at tea on Day 4 of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan needs another 237 runs to chase a daunting 437-run target and level the two-match Test series. Salman Ali Agha was unbeaten on 25, and Mohammad Rizwan was on 15 when the visitors looked to keep their slim hopes alive at the interval.
Shan Masood and Babar Azam carried Pakistan’s recovery after lunch, after a difficult morning session, taking the third-wicket stand to 92 runs.
The stand finally ended with Taijul Islam getting Bangladesh the crucial breakthrough by getting Babar Azam out for a 47-ball 47.
Things only got worse for Pakistan soon after, with Saud Shakeel managing just six runs before his departure as the visitors found themselves under increasing pressure.
Taijul struck again in the next over, getting Shan Masood, who was fighting on the other end with a gritty 71 off 116 balls, to suffer yet another setback for Pakistan.
After the back-to-back wickets, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan combined cautiously to take Pakistan safely to the tea interval without further damage.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed their mammoth chase from 0-0 but lost opener Abdullah Fazal early as Nahid Rana broke the opening stand on 27.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed debutant Azan Awais for 21 to leave Pakistan at 41-2, further consolidating the hosts’ control.
But Shan Masood and Babar Azam steadied the ship with a calm partnership that took Pakistan to lunch at 101-2.
Earlier, Bangladesh had posted 390 in their second innings on Day 3, with Mushfiqur Rahim’s record-breaking 14th Test century putting the hosts in a commanding position in the match.
Read More: Pakistan steady after early blows in tough chase against Shan and Babar
