Rizwan and Agha keep Pakistan alive in Sylhet chase against Bangladesh

SYLHET: Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha struck resolute half-centuries to keep Pakistan in the hunt during a tense fourth-innings chase against Bangladesh on day four of the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Pakistan closed on 316/7 in their second innings and need a further 121 runs to reach a target of 437, which would be a record successful chase in Bangladesh-Pakistan Test history and would also allow the visitors to square the two-match series.

Rizwan was unbeaten on 75 from 134 balls at stumps, having hit eight fours, while Sajid Khan was still there on nine after seeing out the closing stages with him. Despite that resistance, Bangladesh retained the upper hand after left-arm spinner Taijul Islam made key breakthroughs with the second new ball late in the day.

Early setbacks in the chase

Pakistan began the day at 0/0 in pursuit of a daunting target but lost an early wicket when Nahid Rana removed opener Abdullah Fazal after the total had reached 27. Bangladesh tightened their grip further as Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed debutant Azan Awais for 21, leaving Pakistan 41/2 in the morning session.

Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam then rebuilt the innings with a steady stand that carried Pakistan to 101/2 at lunch. Their third-wicket partnership was worth 92 and briefly revived hopes of an unlikely result in this ICC World Test Championship fixture.

Babar made 47 off 52 deliveries before Taijul Islam broke the stand after lunch. Pakistan then suffered another setback when Saud Shakeel was dismissed for six, increasing the pressure on the middle order.

Masood resists, then Bangladesh strike again

Masood continued to hold firm and completed a hard-fought half-century before Taijul struck again to remove the Pakistan skipper for 71 off 116 balls. By tea, Pakistan were 200/5 and still needed 237 more runs, with Bangladesh appearing well placed to press home their advantage.

Earlier, Bangladesh had made 390 in their second innings, with Mushfiqur Rahim scoring a century to set Pakistan a formidable fourth-innings target.

Rizwan-Agha stand revives Pakistan hopes

Pakistan mounted a strong response in the final session through Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, who added 134 runs for the sixth wicket. The pair batted with patience against Bangladesh’s spin attack, rotated the strike effectively and capitalised on loose deliveries as the target was gradually reduced.

Agha completed a composed fifty and looked set to carry Pakistan deeper into the chase before Taijul Islam produced another decisive moment with the new ball. He bowled Agha for 71 off 102 deliveries, an innings that included six fours and a six.

Taijul then struck again a few overs later when Hasan Ali edged to first slip without scoring, leaving Pakistan seven down before the close. Taijul finished the day with crucial wickets in the final session and again proved Bangladesh’s main threat on a wearing Sylhet surface.

With Rizwan still at the crease, the match remains finely balanced heading into the final day, although Bangladesh continue to hold the advantage as they seek to complete victory in Sylhet.