Sylhet Test: Bangladesh extend lead to 353 runs as Pakistan run out of options

Bangladesh continue to dominate Pakistan as partnerships keep brewing, much to the visitors’ frustration. Pakistan bowlers kept getting scalps, but they were nowhere near enough against the resistance the host batters were offering. Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das stitched a 123-run stand, batting through the first session. While Litton fell shortly after lunch, with Mushfiqur at the crease, even as he bats with the tail, the challenge seems unassailable for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s bowling struggles

Pakistan bowlers, barring Khurram Shahzad, who grabbed four wickets, have hardly been impressive by any measure. Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali have only taken one wicket each, while none of the spinners could even get off the mark. In comparison, Bangladesh spinners Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed five wickets in the previous innings.

This has been a worrying pattern for Pakistan lately, where their bowlers have failed to complete the job towards the end of an innings. Among all WTC teams, Pakistan have had the worst bowling average since 2022.

History against Pakistan

The lead has now crept past 300 runs. No team with a lead of more than 255 runs has ever lost a Test match in Sylhet, and if Pakistan are intending to do so, they not only have to punch above their weight but also defy history.

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