Bangladesh have placed themselves in a commanding position in the Sylhet Test against Pakistan, producing a strong second-innings batting display that has left the visitors under mounting pressure. By tea on the third day, the hosts had reached 307 for six, extending their overall lead to 353 runs and firmly seizing control of the contest.
At the heart of Bangladesh’s innings stands the experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who remained unbeaten and just ten runs shy of a well-deserved century at the interval. His composed and resilient approach has anchored the innings, frustrating the Pakistan attack and ensuring stability during key phases of play. Rahim also reached a significant personal landmark during the innings, surpassing 16,000 international runs across formats, further underlining his stature as one of Bangladesh’s most dependable performers.
Bangladesh’s innings, however, was not without setbacks. Set batter Liton Das fell for 69 after failing to convert a promising start into a century. Having been offered a reprieve on 55, he was eventually dismissed when he edged a delivery from Hasan Ali to Saud Shakeel, ending a crucial innings that had helped consolidate Bangladesh’s position.
Shortly afterwards, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was unable to build momentum, falling for 19 runs off 39 deliveries. He was dismissed cleanly by a fine delivery from Khurram Shahzad, who bowled with control and precision to briefly lift Pakistan’s hopes of a comeback.
Despite these interruptions, Bangladesh regained composure through a valuable lower-middle-order partnership. Rahim and Taijul Islam combined for a crucial seventh-wicket stand of 35 runs from 49 balls, steadying the innings after the brief collapse and pushing the total beyond Pakistan’s immediate reach.
Earlier in the innings, Rahim also brought up his 30th Test half-century, further reinforcing his reputation for delivering under pressure in the longest format. His innings has been marked by patience, selective aggression, and an ability to rotate the strike effectively, all of which have contributed to Bangladesh’s commanding position.
Bangladesh Second Innings Overview
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liton Das | 69 | — | Caught (Saud Shakeel) |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 19 | 39 | Bowled (Khurram Shahzad) |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | 90* | — | Not out |
| Taijul Islam | 15* | — | Not out |
With one set batter still at the crease and Bangladesh holding a substantial lead, the hosts are now eyeing a match-defining total. Should Rahim convert his innings into a century, it could prove decisive not only in terms of personal achievement but also in shaping the final outcome of the Test. Pakistan, meanwhile, face an increasingly difficult task as the pitch begins to favour the batting side and the required chase grows more daunting.