MIRPUR: Bangladesh strengthened their grip on the first Test against Pakistan on day four, extending their lead to 120 runs by lunch despite losing two early wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Image: Geo News
Resuming at 7-0, the hosts reached 93-2 in 31 overs at the break, with Mominul Haque unbeaten on 37 off 82 deliveries and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto batting on 34 from 57 balls. The pair stitched together an important unbeaten 50-run partnership to steady the innings after early setbacks.
Mohammad Abbas struck first for Pakistan, trapping Mahmudul Hasan Joy lbw for five, while Hasan Ali removed Shadman Islam for 10 to give the visitors an encouraging start.
However, Bangladesh recovered through composed batting from Mominul and Shanto, who guided the side past the 50-run mark and maintained control of the session.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted 413 in their first innings after strong performances from Mominul Haque, Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Recovering from 31-2, Mominul and Shanto added a crucial 170-run stand, with Shanto scoring 101 off 130 balls and Mominul narrowly missing out on a century with 91.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim contributed 71, while Litton Das and Taskin Ahmed added valuable lower-order runs.
Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s standout bowler with figures of 5-92, while Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up three wickets.
In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 386, conceding a narrow 27-run first-innings lead despite a century from debutant Azan Awais and half-centuries from Abdullah Fazal, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan.
Azan Awais impressed with 103 off 105 deliveries after sharing a 100-run opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq, who scored 45.
Abdullah Fazal made 60, while Salman Ali Agha and Rizwan contributed 58 and 59 respectively.
For Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed 5-102, while Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam took two wickets each.