Ban vs Pak: Hosts set a gigantic 437-run target for Pakistan to chase in two days

Pakistan have two days and ten wickets to get through the seemingly impossible task of chasing a 437-run target in Sylhet. The third day ended with the visitors at nought for no loss after three overs and a challenging task ahead of them. It has been three draining days for the visitors, where little has gone their way. But now, more than ever before, they find themselves facing their demons. Faltering here would hand them records no team would ever want associated with their name.

Bangladesh tighten grip with dominant batting display

Bangladesh scored the second-highest third-innings total in Sylhet: 390. Adding this to their first-innings lead of 46, Pakistan found themselves in a spot of bother. The bowlers looked absolutely toothless for most of the play during day three. And when they did strike, it hardly brought any glad tidings for Pakistan. For one, it was evidence that the surface had started supporting bowlers, especially spinners, as Sajid Khan grabbed three wickets in the last hour of the third day. Secondly, the lead had, by then, climbed to what appears to be far out of Pakistan’s reach.

Mushfiqur’s resilience proves decisive

That is especially more relevant after how Pakistan fared in the final innings of the first Test. The target then was not comparable to this gigantic total by any means, but Pakistan still managed to suffer a spectacular collapse and lost the game.

Pakistan also have not enjoyed the privilege of having a batter like Mushfiqur Rahim in this series. The wicketkeeper batter absorbed all the pressure of losing early wickets as he batted with nearly half the team. His partnerships, 123 off 188 with Litton Das, followed by a 77-run stand off 128 balls with bowler Taijul Islam, changed the course of the game even further in Bangladesh’s favour.

Pakistan staring at a monumental challenge

Pakistan would have no urgency as far as time is concerned. They have six sessions to resist Bangladesh’s onslaught and try to materialise a miracle if they can. But they do have only one shot per batter to do so, and in front of Bangladesh’s bowling attack, that would become a thousandfold more difficult.

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