Bangladesh will take plenty of confidence into the final stages of the first Test in Mirpur against Pakistan, with the hosts holding a 34-run advantage after an abrupt end to play on day three due to bad light. At the close, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam were unbeaten on 2 and 0 respectively as Bangladesh finished at 7/0, setting up a crucial platform for the remaining session and beyond.
Day three: Bangladesh close strongly despite the stoppage
Play was cut short on day three with visibility worsening, but Bangladesh still made sure they reached the end of the day in control. Pakistan’s chase never fully got underway, as Bangladesh kept things tight and then finished the day without losing a wicket. With the match poised as the fourth innings approaches later on, Bangladesh’s early momentum in the final overs of the day becomes even more valuable.
How the first innings shaped the contest
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh had established a 27-run lead in the first innings after dismissing Pakistan for 386. The key turnaround came through Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who delivered a decisive spell for the hosts.
- Pakistan were bowled out for 386.
- Bangladesh’s first-innings lead stood at 27 runs.
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s figures were 5/102, as he played the standout role in the Bangladesh bowling effort.
Pakistan’s reply: a debut stand, then a collapse
Pakistan resumed day three on 179/1, with debutants Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal in the middle. Both carried forward their Saturday form and built a productive 100-run partnership, giving Pakistan a platform that looked increasingly solid.
- Pakistan resumed at 179/1.
- Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal added a 100-run stand.
- Azan Awais was dismissed for 103, caught by Taskin Ahmed in the 55th over.
After that breakthrough, Pakistan lost momentum quickly. Within the next ten overs, the innings unraveled with three fast dismissals, including the captain and two others.
- Pakistan lost three wickets in quick succession in the next ten overs.
- Captain Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, and Abdullah Fazal all departed during that burst.
- Fazal reached 60, but could not match Awais’ debut milestone of a century.
Miraz strikes, then fifties rescue Pakistan
Once Taskin Ahmed accounted for Masood for 9, Miraz added his own damage by removing Shakeel and Fazal. At 230/5, Pakistan appeared to be in trouble again, but Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan steadied the innings with determined batting.
- Taskin Ahmed dismissed Shan Masood for 9.
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Fazal.
- At 230/5, Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan formed a recovery partnership.
- Agha and Rizwan added 119 runs for the sixth wicket.
- Rizwan was sent back for 59.
- Salman Agha departed for 58 shortly after Rizwan’s dismissal.
End of the innings: Pakistan out for 386
With the tail unable to extend the resistance, Pakistan were eventually dismissed for 386. Miraz finished the job with further wickets, taking additional scalps including Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
- Pakistan were bowled out for 386.
- Miraz took Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
- That brought Miraz’s tally to his 14th five-wicket haul in 57 Tests.
- Taijul Islam dismissed Hasan Ali for a duck to complete the innings.
Bowling impact: Taskin provides early lift, Miraz does the damage
While Miraz was the clear standout with the five-wicket haul, Taskin Ahmed’s early breakthroughs also gave Bangladesh the momentum they needed at the right time. Taskin struck twice, including the debutant Azan Awais, while Taijul contributed with additional wickets.
- Taskin Ahmed returned 2/70 from 18 overs.
- Taijul Islam took two wickets and conceded 46 runs in 11.3 overs.
- Taijul’s key finish included the dismissal of Hasan Ali for 0.
Looking ahead: spinners expected to benefit on the last two days
Bangladesh will be encouraged by how their side has shaped the contest by day three, but there is still plenty to be decided over the next couple of days. With the pitch expected to offer more help to spinners on the final two days, Bangladesh appear well placed in that department. It is also worth noting that this is a two-match World Test Championship (WTC) series.
