Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed 5/32 as Pakistan closed in on victory on the fourth day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Monday.
Afridi’s fourth five-wicket haul in Tests wrapped up Bangladesh’s second innings for 157, setting Pakistan a 202-run target to win. Then, openers Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique helped Pakistan reach 109 for no loss at stumps, leaving the team needing 93 more on the final day.
Ali, who scored 133 in the first innings, was on 56 and debutant Shafique was unbeaten on 53 when bad light ended play early for the fourth consecutive day.
Bangladesh had a 44-run first-innings lead after posting 330 and then bowling Pakistan out for 286.
“We just had a terrible last session yesterday (Sunday) which put us under a lot of pressure,” Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said. “They (Pakistan) need another 93 runs, so it will need something really special. Anything is possible in Test cricket. We have to come tomorrow (Tuesday) morning believing we still have a chance. If we can pick up one or two wickets in the first half an hour, anything is possible.”
Ali and Shafique brought up their second consecutive century partnership in the match, frustrating Bangladesh bowlers for one-and-a-half sessions.
Ali completed his third half-century off 92 balls, flicking left-arm spinner Taijul Islam for three runs. Shafique joined him in reaching his fifty in the next-to-last over, lofting off-spinner Mehidy Hasan for the lone six of the innings, over deep mid-wicket.