1st Test: Day 4 Tigers take upper hand
Bangladesh Cricket team took the upper hand on the Day 4 of the first Test cricket match against Pakistan Cricket team after scoring 152 for the loss of three wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Monday.
The Tigers led by 179 runs.
Earlier, Bangladesh piled up a mammoth total of 413 in the first innings on the second day play (Saturday).
In reply, Pakistan scored 386 in the first innings on the third day play (Sunday).
Bangladesh resumed their over-night score of seven for the loss of none.
Openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam resumed their over-night score of two and naught respectively. Mahmudul Hasan Joy could add just three runs on the fourth day as he (5) was trapped leg before wicket by right-arm pacer Mohammad Abbas when Bangladesh’s total was just 15.
After Joy’s dismissal, Shadman Islam could not stay at the crease for a long period as he (10) was caught at the gully by Saud Shakeel off right-arm fast bowler Hasan Ali when the home side’s score was 23 for the loss of two wickets.
After Shadman’s departure, Bangladesh were under pressure but one-down Mominul Haque and second-down Najmul Hossain Shanto salvaged their team from debacle contributing together 70 runs for the third wicket partnership before the rain interrupted the match and Bangladesh’s score was 93 for the loss of two wickets at the lunch.
The Tigers score was also 93 for the loss of two wickets before the tea. After inspecting the outfield and pitch by the Match Referee Jeff Crowe, the match resumed again at 3.45pm.
Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed together more 35 runs before Mominul Haque was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi when Bangladesh’s score was 128 for the loss of three wickets.
Mominul Haque knocked a sedate 56. His 120-ball innings was laced with four fours.
Mominul Haque reached his 27th fifty-run land-mark of Test cricket using 105 deliveries including four fours. Mominul Haque scored 5006 runs playing 76 Test matches.
After Mominul’s dismissal, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim added together 24 runs for the unbroken four-wicket partnership before the bails were drawn for the fourth day. Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten with 58 runs, while Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 16 runs.
It was Shanto’s sixth half-century in Test cricket.
Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas and Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up one wicket each conceding 23, 35 and 39 runs respectively.
