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CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh was struggling at 39-4 against Pakistan in their second innings after grabbing 44 runs lead at stumps on the third day of their first Test in Chittagong on Sunday.
Pakistan, after that stupendous opening stand from Abid Ali (133) and Abdullah Shafique (52), looked prime to overtake Bangladesh’s first innings total of 330 runs, but they ended up conceding a 44-run lead with left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claiming seven wickets.
Then, Shaheen Afridi claimed three wickets early in Bangladesh’s second innings to limit the damage. The home side ended day three on 39/4 with a lead of 83 runs.
Earlier, Islam claimed 7-116 as Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for 286 runs to take a 44-run lead. Abid made 133 for Pakistan but the tourists lost all 10 wickets before tea after resuming the play on the third day with 145-0.
Pakistan suffered a setback very early when Taijul trapped debutant Abdullah Shafique leg-before in the fifth ball of the day. Shafique walked back without adding to his overnight 52.
Taijul dismissed veteran Azhar Ali for a duck on the next ball. Azhar was initially given not out but the decision was reversed on review. Pakistan captain Babar Azam survived Taijul’s hat-trick but Mehidy Hasan castled his off-stump with a straight delivery. Babar scored 10 runs only.
Taijul bagged his third wicket after Bangladesh went for a review as the umpire denied a caught-behind appeal of Fawad Alam (8). The replay showed the ball took a feather touch on Alam’s glove.
The visitors were 203/4 at Lunch with Abid Ali batting at 113. Ebadat Hossain removed Mohammad Rizwan (5) straight after Lunch while Taijul continued his dominance by trapping Abid Ali for LBW.
Abid Ali scored 133 off 282 balls with the help of 12 fours and two sixes. Hasan Ali came to bat in an aggressive mode but walked back after scoring eight-ball 12. Sajid Khan (5) was clean bowled by Ebadat to create further trouble for Pakistan.
Nauman Ali (8) also had a brief stay as Taijul trapped him in front. He reviewed straightly but the ball hit the pad first.
All-rounder Faheem Ashraf added crucial runs while Shaheen Shah was steady from the other end during the last wicket stand. Faheem scored 38 off 80 balls after he got a thin edge while executing a sweep off Taijul. Shaheen remained not-out on 13.
Left-arm spinner Taijul bowled a long spell of 44.4 overs, bagging seven for 116. Ebadat Hossain took 2/47 in 26 overs.
