Late Taijul strikes swing momentum towards Bangladesh

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took two wickets late on Day 4 of their second and final Test against Pakistan at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today, swinging the momentum back towards the hosts.  

In chase of a world record 437-run target, Pakistan reached 316 for seven in 86 overs at Stumps, needing 121 runs more with three wickets in hand on the final day tomorrow. The previous successful fourth-innings chase belongs to West Indies, who assailed a 418-run target against Australia in 2003 in Antigua. 

Pakistan were looking comfortable in their chase of the mammoth target, with Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan keeping the scoreboard ticking. However, soon after the Tigers took on the new ball, Taijul broke a crucial 134-run sixth-wicket stand when he castled Salman after a 102-ball 71-run knock. 

Taijul went on to have tailender Hasan Ali (0 off 6) edge back one to the first slip in his very next over, as the Tigers roared back into the contest.

Bangladesh will hope to dismiss Pakistan's set batter Rizwan, unbeaten on 75 off 134 deliveries, early tomorrow and wrap up the game to complete a second successive series win over the visitors. 

The Tigers had completed a historic 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2024. 

Salman, Rizwan fight back after Taijul’s strikes

Pakistan showed resistance after spinner Taijul Islam’s strikes through the sixth-wicket partnership between Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan in the final session of the second Test against Bangladesh while chasing a daunting 437-run target at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Pakistan reached 253 for five after recovering from 162 for five. Salman was unbeaten on 42, while Rizwan remained not out on 51.

Taijul’s vital strikes leave Pakistan reeling in 437-run chase

Experienced left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed the prized wickets of Babar Azam and Shan Masood as Pakistan went to tea at 200 for 5 on the fourth day of the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Salman Agha was batting on 25, while Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on 15.

Pakistan were 101 for two at lunch before Taijul and pacer Nahid Rana combined to swing the match firmly in Bangladesh’s favour as the hosts closed in on a historic 2-0 series sweep after winning the opening Test in Mirpur.

Resuming the day at nought without loss, openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal negotiated the early overs cautiously before Rana struck the first blow. Fazal fell for six off 28 balls after edging a rising delivery to gully, where Mehidy Hasan Miraz completed a sharp low catch.

Miraz then trapped Azan Awais lbw for 21, with the decision upheld on review, leaving Pakistan reeling at 41 for two.

Masood and Babar steadied the innings with a composed partnership, adding 92 runs and briefly putting the visitors back in control. Pakistan reached lunch on 101 for two, still requiring 336 runs for victory.

The breakthrough came shortly after the interval when Taijul dismissed Babar against the run of play. The left-arm spinner drifted one down the leg side and Babar, attempting a glance, managed only a faint edge through to wicketkeeper Litton Das.

Babar departed for 47 off 52 deliveries, an innings featuring four boundaries and a six, ending a threatening stand with Masood.

Nahid then removed Saud Shakeel for six after the batter edged behind. The dismissal was reviewed, but replays confirmed the ball had carried cleanly to Litton after taking the outside edge.

Taijul struck again to remove Masood for 71 in a decisive moment in the contest. The Pakistan captain attempted to work a turning delivery on the leg side but popped up a simple chance to short leg, where Mahmudul Hasan Joy held on to a fine low catch.

Earlier, Bangladesh had piled up 390 in their second innings — their fifth-highest total in a Test second innings — to set Pakistan a daunting target of 437.

The chase remains a monumental task. The highest successful run chase in Test history remains West Indies’ 418 against Australia in Antigua in 2003, while Pakistan’s best successful chase is 377 against Sri Lanka in 2015 — a side that also featured Masood.