Debutant Azan Awais struck an impressive century for Pakistan, but Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s five-wicket haul handed Bangladesh a narrow advantage on the third day of the opening Test at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.
Bad light brought an early close to play at 5.30pm following a lengthy rain interruption in the afternoon. Bangladesh reached 7 without loss in their second innings and led Pakistan by 34 runs at stumps.
Bangladesh had earlier posted 413 in their first innings, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto making 101 and Mominul Haque contributing 91. Mushfiqur Rahim added 71, while Mohammad Abbas claimed 5 for 92 for Pakistan.
Pakistan replied with 386 after a determined batting display led by debutant opener Awais, who scored 103 from 165 balls with 14 fours. The 21-year-old shared a 106-run opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq and added another 104 runs with fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal, who made 60.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz turned the match in Bangladesh’s favour with figures of 5 for 102, his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam took two wickets apiece.
Pakistan were well placed at 210 for 1 before losing four wickets for 20 runs before lunch. Taskin removed Awais and captain Shan Masood in quick succession, while Mehidy dismissed Saud Shakeel for a duck and later accounted for Fazal.
Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan steadied the innings with a valuable sixth-wicket partnership. Agha scored 58 and Rizwan made 59 before Taijul Islam broke the stand shortly before tea.
Rain halted play for almost an hour during the afternoon session. After the resumption, Bangladesh quickly wrapped up the innings as Mehidy dismissed Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Taijul bowled Hasan Ali to end the innings.
Bangladesh’s openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam safely negotiated 1.5 overs before bad light ended the day’s play.
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