Mushfiqur hits historic 14th ton, extending Bangladesh’s lead

A masterclass in batting resilience from veteran Mushfiqur Rahim placed Bangladesh in an impregnable position on the third day of the second Test in Sylhet.

Mushfiqur struck his 14th career Test century, steering the hosts to 332-6 in the second innings after 87 overs and extending their overall lead to a massive 378 runs, just shy of the 400-mark.

Mushfiqur’s unbeaten 104 off 181 balls, studded with nine boundaries, was a historic milestone. The century broke his tie with Mominul Haque (13), making him the outright holder of the record for the most centuries for Bangladesh in Test history.

Coming to the crease after Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad threatened a collapse with four wickets (4-81), the 39-year-old displayed immense composure under the scorching Sylhet sun to systematically bat the visitors out of the game.

The innings was bolstered by a gritty top-order performance. Mahmudul Hasan Joy set the tone early with a resilient 52.

However, it was Mushfiqur’s 123-run stand with Litton Das—who followed up his first-innings 126 with a brisk 69—that completely deflated the Pakistani attack.

Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to replicate their first-innings discipline on a wearing day-three pitch.

Shahzad was the lone bright spot, accounting for the wickets of Tanzid, Mominul, Najmul Hossain Shanto (15), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (19). However, the visitors found no answers for Mushfiqur, who comfortably marshaled the lower-middle order alongside Taijul Islam (17*).

With a commanding 378-run cushion and four wickets still in hand, Bangladesh hold all the aces.