Bangladesh on brink of 2-0 Test series sweep against Pakistan

Pakistan are staring at a historic 2-0 series sweep after day four of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Set 437 to win, the visitors closed on 316-7, needing 121 more runs with only three wickets remaining. Taijul Islam's decisive late spell overturned a promising Pakistan recovery.

How did Bangladesh take control of the second Test on day four?

Bangladesh regained the upper hand through Taijul Islam, who took four wickets to dismantle Pakistan's middle and lower order. Set a target of 437, Pakistan closed day four on 316-7, still 121 runs short of victory. A 134-run sixth-wicket stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha had threatened to shift the match before Taijul intervened.

How did Pakistan's batting unfold across the day?

Pakistan began cautiously, with openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal looking to lay a solid foundation. Bangladesh struck early when Nahid Rana removed Fazal for six, ending a 27-run opening stand. Mehidy Hasan Miraz then dismissed Azan for 21, leaving Pakistan 41-2.

Babar Azam and captain Shan Masood steadied the innings with a valuable third-wicket partnership, guiding Pakistan past the 100-run mark and briefly shifting momentum their way. The recovery did not last. Resuming after lunch at 101-2, Pakistan lost three crucial wickets before tea.

Nahid Rana dismissed Babar for a determined 47 off 52 balls. Taijul Islam struck twice quickly, removing Saud Shakeel for six and then Shan Masood, who top-scored with a composed 71 from 116 balls, his 14th Test half-century. Pakistan slipped to 162-5 and appeared close to collapse.

How did Rizwan and Salman keep Pakistan's chase alive?

Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha responded with a spirited sixth-wicket stand of 134 runs, frustrating Bangladesh's bowlers and pushing Pakistan beyond 250. Rizwan brought up his 14th Test half-century in the anchor role. Salman, meanwhile, reached his 12th first-class fifty in red-ball cricket, with his innings including six boundaries and a six.

Their partnership revived hopes of an unlikely victory before Taijul ended it by dismissing Salman for 71 off 102 balls. Moments later, Hasan Ali was caught for a duck, giving Taijul his fourth wicket and reducing Pakistan to 304-7. Rizwan closed day four unbeaten on 75, with Sajid Khan on eight, carrying Pakistan's last realistic hopes into the final day.

What is the match context heading into the final day?

Bangladesh posted 278 in their first innings before adding 390 in the second, powered by Mushfiqur Rahim's 137 and a key contribution from Litton Das. Pakistan replied with 232 in their first innings, conceding a 46-run deficit that has since grown into their current precarious position.

Bangladesh already completed a historic 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2024. A win at Sylhet would confirm they have done it again, making this one of the most significant series victories in their Test history.