Published on 12:00 AM, November 29, 2021

Chattogram Test on knife-edge

Taijul Islam (L) celebrates one of seven dismissals as Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for 286 runs to take a first-innings lead of 44 runs. However, the hosts were in a spot of bother as they lost four wickets for 39 runs when stumps were called for the third day of the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram yesterday. PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED
Sports Reporter from Chattogram

It was an action-packed days' play as a total of 14 wickets fell yesterday during the ongoing first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram and the fourth day certainly has more suspense and drama in store.

Bangladesh started off brilliantly yesterday and headed for tea with a first innings lead of 44 runs, courtesy of Taijul Islam's superb seven-wicket haul. But when the umpires called off the days' play, 14 overs before the scheduled time due to bad light, Bangladesh were shaking at 39 for 4 in their second innings with Mushfiqur Rahim (12) and Yasir Ali (8) set to resume the fourth day under tremendous pressure.

With the total lead of 83 runs in the second innings, Bangladesh will surely look to post as big of a target as possible. However, it will be a tough task against a world-class pace bowling attack of Pakistan.

Much like in the first innings, where Bangladesh was 49 for 4, Bangladesh top-order once again failed miserably as the Tigers were reeling on 25 for 4. Left-arm seamer Shaheen Afirdi once again tested the skills of the Bangladesh top-order and dismissed Shadman Islam (1), Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) and Saif Hasan (18) who were intimidated by some quality fast bowling. Skipper Mominul Haque also failed to soak the pressure and played a loose shot to get dismissed by another seamer Hasan Ali on duck.

Earlier, resuming the day on 144 without loss, Pakistan was all-out for 246 on their first innings inside the first two sessions. Taijul, who picked up his ninth five-wicket haul in Tests, ended up with figures of seven for 116, which became the best figures by a Bangladeshi against Pakistan. Pacer Ebadot Hossain also bowled well to bag two wickets and provide good support to Taijul from the other end.

Taijul started off the day by breaking the 146-run opening stand, dismissing opener Abdullah Shafique on 52 and was on a hat-trick after he trapped Azahar Ali for a leg-before on a duck, to revive hope for the hosts.

Opener Abid Ali went on to smash his fourth Test hundred and was dismissed on 133 while Faheem Ashraf's 38 runs was the other significant contribution for the visitors with the bat on a day dominated by bowlers from both teams. 

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