Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque struck resilient half-centuries to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the opening Test against Pakistan. On a fourth day heavily interrupted by rain at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, the hosts reached 152-3 in their second innings. This performance has stretched their overall lead to 179 runs heading into the final day.
Although a three-and-a-half-hour weather delay washed out the entire second session, Bangladesh remained in a position to push for a result before play was curtailed by bad light.
The hosts faced an unsteady start to the morning, slumping to 23-2 after resuming on seven without loss. Opening batsman Mahmudul Hasan Joy was trapped leg-before for five by pacer Mohammad Abbas, while Hasan Ali removed Shadman Islam for 10. Shadman was undone by extra bounce, resulting in a sharp catch at gully by Saud Shakeel. However, a vital 105-run partnership between Shanto and Mominul stabilised the innings and frustrated the Pakistani bowling attack.
Mominul Haque continued his exceptional form by scoring 56, marking his fifth successive fifty-plus score following his first-innings 91. Though he survived two chances, he eventually edged a delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi to the wicketkeeper. His partner, Najmul Hossain Shanto, remained unbeaten on 58. Following his century in the first innings, the skipper produced a nearly flawless knock, reaching his sixth Test half-century in 90 deliveries.
By the time stumps were drawn, Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, who remains 16 not out, had successfully navigated the remaining overs to prevent further breakthroughs. The current lead builds upon a 27-run first-innings advantage established after Bangladesh scored 413 and dismissed Pakistan for 386. That defensive effort was led by off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who secured a five-wicket haul to ensure the hosts maintained the upper hand in the contest.
