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- BAN vs PAK, 2nd Test, Day 3 Highlights: Mushfiqur Rahim's ton puts Bangladesh in commanding position; Pakistan need 437 to square the series
BAN vs PAK, 2nd Test, Day 3 Highlights: Mushfiqur Rahim's ton puts Bangladesh in commanding position; Pakistan need 437 to square the series
Pakistan ended the day at 21 without loss in reply, with Azan Awais unbeaten on 13 and Abdullah Fazal on 8 in Sylhet.
Litton leads Bangladesh recovery
Coming in at No. 6, Litton played a counter-attacking knock of 126 off 159 balls, smashing 16 fours and two sixes for his sixth Test century. His innings came at a crucial time after Bangladesh slumped to 116/6 shortly after lunch.
Pakistan, already trailing 1-0 in the two-match series following their 104-run defeat in Mirpur, opted to bowl first after winning the toss — a decision that paid immediate dividends.
Pakistan strike early
Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy was dismissed for a duck after edging Mohammad Abbas to second slip off the second ball of the match.
Debutant Tanzid Hasan looked promising during his quickfire 26 off 34 balls, hitting three boundaries before attempting an ambitious pull shot against Abbas, who completed the catch off his own bowling.
Mominul Haque was then bowled for 22 by Khurram Shahzad.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim tried to stabilise the innings with a 43-run partnership.
Collapse after lunch
However, Bangladesh lost momentum immediately after lunch, losing three wickets for just 15 runs.
Shanto edged Abbas behind for 29, Mushfiqur was trapped lbw for 23, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell for four after being caught at deep fine leg, leaving the hosts reeling at 116/6.
Lower order supports Litton
Litton found valuable support from the lower order. He stitched together a patient 60-run partnership with Taijul Islam, who scored 16 off 114 balls. Litton reached his fifty in 93 balls before accelerating rapidly.
The right-hander needed only 42 more deliveries to complete his century, bringing it up with a stylish cover drive off Shahzad before dispatching the very next ball for six.
Litton then added 38 runs alongside Taskin Ahmed and followed it up with a crucial 64-run ninth-wicket stand with Shoriful Islam off just 73 balls.
"The most important thing in this innings is that Taijul, Taskin and Shoriful all batted well and faced a lot of balls," Litton said.
Pakistan rue missed reviews
Pakistan also missed two crucial review opportunities during Bangladesh’s innings. Replays later showed faint edges from Mushfiqur and Litton, but captain Shan Masood chose not to challenge the umpire’s decisions.
"We were getting wickets early on. Unluckily, we missed a couple of reviews," said Shahzad.
"If we had gotten them out there, the situation would have been completely different."
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Shorter in length and around off, Saud Shakeel punches it towards cover and responds to his partner's call. Taijul Islam puts in a wayward throw down the middle of the pitch and Masood easily gets home. Pakistan need 290 runs to win now.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Floated, full and on off, Saud Shakeel goes a bit inside out and pushes it to cover.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Tossed up, full and on off, Saud Shakeel prods forward to block it out.
- Shan Masood 60 (103)
- Saud Shakeel 3 (15)
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Flighted, full and on off, Shan Masood negotiates it well again.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Quicker and shorter, on middle, turns in sharply, Shan Masood stays back and clips it to square leg.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Flatter, full and on off, Shan Masood drives it hard but straight to mid off.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Shan Masood lunges out and turns it to short leg.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, FOUR! Short and punished! Taijul Islam drags his length back, on middle, turns in a bit. Shan Masood has a lot of time to rock back and pulls it away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Floated, full and on off, Shan Masood takes a half stride out and tucks it to silly mid on.
- Saud Shakeel 3 (15)
- Shan Masood 56 (97)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Flighted, full and on off, Saud Shakeel strides out and taps it past silly point.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Saud Shakeel gets forward to fend it but gets an inside edge to the leg side.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Floats it up, full and on middle again, Saud Shakeel defends it on the front foot.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Tossed up now, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel knocks it down the pitch.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Pushed through quicker, short and on middle, Saud Shakeel backs away a bit and punches it to short cover.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Shan Masood, Loopy delivery, full and around off, Shan Masood waits for it to come down and drives it firmly to sweeper cover for a single.
- Shan Masood 55 (96)
- Saud Shakeel 3 (10)
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Flighted, full and on middle, Shan Masood eases it down to long on for another run.
Taijul Islam to Saud Shakeel, Darts this one full and on middle, Saud Shakeel drives it down to long on for a run.
Taijul Islam to Saud Shakeel, Tossed up, full and on off, turns in again, Saud Shakeel gets forward a long way across to block but this time gets hit on the pads. There is a shout for LBW, but turned down. Probably the impact is outside off here.
Taijul Islam to Saud Shakeel, Slightly quicker, shortish and on off, turns in sharply with some bounce. Saud Shakeel gets across to keep it out but misses and gets hit on his midriff.
Taijul Islam to Saud Shakeel, Floated, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel leans forward and knocks it to the left of the bowler.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Flatter delivery, full and on middle, Shan Masood steps across and drills it to long on for a single.
- Shan Masood 53 (94)
- Saud Shakeel 2 (6)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Shan Masood, Drags his length back, outside off, Shan Masood cuts it to deep point for a run. The Bangladesh spinners are keeping things tight here.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Shan Masood, Loopy delivery, full and on off, Shan Masood pushes it away to short cover.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Shan Masood, Flatter, full and on middle, Shan Masood drills it back to the bowler.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Shan Masood, Floated, full and on off, Shan Masood defends it on the front foot.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Shorter in length and around off, Saud Shakeel opens the bat face and punches it wide of backward point. A bit of a yes and no, but Taijul Islam is a bit late to get to the ball and throw as Shakeel makes is ground. Pakistan need exactly 300 runs now.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Tossed up nicely, full and on off, Saud Shakeel gets forward and taps it to short cover.
- Shan Masood 52 (90)
- Saud Shakeel 1 (4)
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Flatter, full and on off, Shan Masood is solid in his defense again.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Gives this one some more air, full and on middle, Shan Masood lunges out and dead-bats it down the pitch.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Slows it up, full and on middle, Shan Masood knocks it but Mushfiqur Rahim at silly mid on is quick to move to his right to stop the ball.
Taijul Islam to Saud Shakeel, Floated, full and on off, Saud Shakeel strides out a long way across and steers it off the outer half of the bat towards cover-point for a run.
Taijul Islam to Saud Shakeel, Tossed up, full and on middle, turns in a bit, Saud Shakeel gets forward to defend but gets an inside edge to the left of short leg.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Flighted, full and on leg, Shan Masood turns it past short leg for a single.
- Saud Shakeel 0 (2)
- Shan Masood 51 (86)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Goes back to the shorter length, on middle, Saud Shakeel backs away and stabs it to extra cover.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Saud Shakeel, Slows it up, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel defends it on the front foot.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Shan Masood, Dragged back and around off, Shan Masood moves back and punches it wide of extra cover, where the fielder dives to his left to make the stop. A single taken.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Shan Masood, Floated, short and outside off, Shan Masood tries to cut it away but ends up chopping it down to point.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Shan Masood, Flatter, full and around leg, Shan Masood nudges it to short fine.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Shan Masood, Tossed up, full and on off, Shan Masood knocks it back to the bowler.
A very important wicket for Bangladesh completely against the run of play. The two were going along so well, but the 92-run stand is broken now. Saud Shakeel is the new batter in at number 5.
- Babar Azam 47 (52)
- Shan Masood 50 (82)
Taijul Islam to Babar Azam, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Strangled down the leg side and Babar Azam is just standing there in disbelief. Taijul Islam pushes this through quicker, shortish and angling into the leg side. Not a wicket-taking delivery at all. Babar stays in his crease and looks to glance it away but only manages to get a nick behind. Litton Das, the keeper, moves to his left and takes a sharp low catch. Bangladesh are absolutely delighted as they know the importance of this wicket. Pakistan are 133/3, needing 304 runs.
Taijul Islam to Babar Azam, Flatter, full and on middle, Babar Azam tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Taijul Islam to Babar Azam, Flighted, full and on off, Babar Azam strides out and pushes it to short cover.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, FIFTY FOR MASOOD! His 14th Test half century. A captain's knock from him and he has been pretty solid in this game so far. Pakistan needed someone to step up and their skipper has answered the call. Loopy delivery, full and on off, Shan Masood drills it to long on for a run.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Drops it short and on middle and leg, Shan Masood moves back and clips it. The ball hits the left boot of shor leg and deflects towards backward square leg.
Taijul Islam to Shan Masood, Tossed up, full and on off, Shan Masood gets forward and across to block it out.
- Shan Masood 49 (79)
- Babar Azam 47 (49)
Nahid Rana to Shan Masood, Comes from around the stump now. Bangs it short and angling it in and around off. Shan Masood stands tall and controls the pull shot to the right of deep mid-wicket for a single. He wants the second, but Babar says no. Masood moves to 49.
Nahid Rana to Babar Azam, Back of a length, slanted down leg. Babar Azam gets inside the line and glances it to deep backward square leg for a single.
Nahid Rana to Babar Azam, Slightly fuller and around off, Babar forces it down to mid off.
Nahid Rana to Babar Azam, Well bowled! Sharp short ball, on top of middle. Babar Azam ducks under the projectile coming at him at over 144 kph. Good carry to the keeper as Litton Das collects it over his head.
Match Statistics
Venue
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
