Spinner Taijul Islam has claimed four wickets as Bangladesh moved within three wickets of a series sweep against Pakistan on day four of the second Test in Sylhet. Chasing a record 437 for victory, Pakistan were reduced to 7-316 by stumps on Tuesday. No.7 batter Mohammad Rizwan, on 75, was the last realistic hope for the visitors, with Sajid Khan with him on eight. Salman Agha and skipper Shan Masood added 71 runs each to help Pakistan take the Test to a fifth day. “There
is hope, of course,” Pakistan batting coach Asad Shafiq said. “The way our batting unit performed today gives us confidence. There are 121 runs left and Rizwan is batting really well. . If another partnership develops and goes long, we have a chance.” Left armer Taijul put Bangladesh on top, breaking the threatening partnership of Agha and Rizwan, who shared 134 runs for the sixth wicket to give Pakistan a glimmer of hope. Taijul bowled Agha with a slider to break the stubborn rearguard before
removing Hasan Ali for duck. Fast bowler Nahid Rana took 2-58 with raw pace that troubled Pakistan throughout the day. He gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough when he dismissed Abdullah Fazal (6), who steered a short-pitched ball to gully. Soon after, off-spinner Mehidy Hasan trapped Azan Awais lbw for 21. Masood and Babar Azam added 91 before Taijul had Babar caught behind down the leg side for 47. Saud Shakeel then edged a pacy delivery off Nahid while Taijul had Masood caught at short-leg, leaving
Pakistan 6-162 as Bangladesh sensed a victory inside four days. “That was a warrior effort from Taijul, to bowl all day in those conditions and then take the new ball at the end and get those wickets was fantastic,” Bangladesh’s Australian bowling coach Shaun Tait said. “They got on top of us for a period of time, but taking those two wickets late in the day means we go back to the dressing room fairly happy.”
Bangladesh, Pakistan, second Test, Sylhet, Taijul Islam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Salman Agha, Nahid Rana, Mehidy Hasan
Wow 4 wickets?? Pakistan really just fell apart. Cricket is wild.
I don’t even get why they’re chasing “record 437” like it’s nothing, that’s crazy. If Rizwan is batting and still only down by like 121? feels like Bangladesh is choking already lol. Also Taijul sounds like he did all the work.
Wait so Pakistan is 7-316 at stumps and they were “close to sweep” but still not won?? I thought once you’re close you automatically win. And why is there talk about the fifth day like they don’t want to finish. Seems like rain or something is controlling this.
Taijul got Agha with a slider and then Hasan Ali for a duck… okay so one bowler basically stole the day. I swear cricket commentators always say “there is hope” like hope pays the scoreboard. If Rizwan and Sajid actually hang around, Bangladesh might not sweep, but Bangladesh seems in control if they took those last wickets before stumps.