Bangladesh moved to 152 for the loss of three on rain-affected Day 4 of the opening Test against Pakistan on Monday, driven by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque. With play repeatedly interrupted by bad weather and an early stop caused by poor light, Bangladesh’s position sets them up to push for a result on the final day. Shanto was unbeaten on 58, while Mushfiqur Rahim closed the day on 16.
At a glance
- Match: First Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan
- Day 4 state: Bangladesh 152/3 (rain-hit)
- Shanto: 58* at stumps
- Mushfiqur Rahim: 16 at stumps
- Bangladesh lead: 179 runs
- Rain and light: Play stopped for more than three hours due to rain; early end from bad light
Bangladesh’s advantage swelled to 179 runs, keeping their hopes alive despite the disrupted schedule. An outcome now depends on conditions and the number of overs left, but a competitive final-day push remains within reach. The day ended early after bad light, with Shanto and Mushfiqur safely seeing out the remaining overs.
Shanto had already struck a century in the first innings, and on Day 4 he and Mominul stitched a steady platform for the third wicket. The pair added 105 runs together after Bangladesh had slumped to 23 for two in the morning session, taking the hosts back onto firm footing.
Mominul continued his strong run in the match as well. After making 91 in the first innings, he followed it with a further 56 in the second innings, extending a streak that included five successive half-centuries. Their combined resistance ensured Pakistan could not force a collapse at a crucial stage.
Weather played a major role throughout the day. Play was halted for more than three hours because of rain, and when action resumed Bangladesh started at seven without loss. The resumption, however, brought an immediate setback when Mahmudul Hasan was trapped leg-before-wicket for five by pacer Mohammad Abbas.
Pakistan then tightened the screws with another wicket. Hasan Ali removed Shadman Islam for 10, with Saud Shakeel taking a catch at gully after the batter was caught by the extra bounce. The dismissal underlined how quickly the pitch and bowling rhythm can change after long breaks.
Bangladesh’s rearguard after early trouble
As in their first-innings fightback, Mominul and Shanto again showed composure to blunt Pakistan’s pressure and keep Bangladesh on track for a challenging final chase—or target—on the last day. Their partnership continued to deny the visitors the breakthroughs they needed at this stage.
They had also shared a significant stand earlier in the match when Bangladesh were in trouble at 31 for two. In that first-innings period, the duo put together a 170-run partnership to shift momentum back toward the home side.
Mominul’s route to his score included surviving two chances before he edged a delivery from pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi behind the wicket. Shanto, meanwhile, produced an innings that looked close to flawless, moving to his sixth Test half-century off 90 balls with a single to mid-off off Afridi.
After that, Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim managed the remaining overs with care to prevent any further damage. Their control ensured Pakistan could not pick up additional wickets before the day’s interruptions and the early finish due to light.
Bangladesh’s earlier innings set the foundation for the day’s positioning. They were dismissed for 413 in their first innings before taking a 27-run lead by bowling out Pakistan for 386, with offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking five wickets. Pakistan’s total gave Bangladesh a platform to bat once more and build a lead that now stands at 179.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas produced a five-wicket haul. The right-arm medium pacer returned to Pakistan’s Test squad last year after a long absence and has made an impact since, using movement rather than raw pace to trouble batters with the ball swinging at key moments.
At this stage of the contest, Bangladesh appear best placed to force a result, but the rain on Day 4 means expectations must be realistic. An outright outcome currently looks difficult given the overs lost, even though Pakistan—who are part of a two-game World Test Championship series away from home—may still be satisfied with sharing points if it comes to that.
