Bangladesh asserted their dominance on Day 4 of the first Test against Pakistan, thanks to a magnificent century from Mushfiqur Rahim and a record-breaking seventh-wicket partnership with Mehidy Hasan.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored his 11th Test century and his first against Pakistan, played a marathon innings of 341 balls, studded with 22 fours and a six. His knock, which lasted over 8-1/2 hours, helped Bangladesh amass a massive total of 565 runs, ending their innings on Day 4. This total marked Bangladesh’s third-highest score away from home.
Rahim and Mehidy Hasan, who scored a valuable 77, combined to frustrate Pakistan’s pace attack in a record-breaking partnership of 196 runs. This partnership shattered a 48-year-old record, previously held by New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee and Warren Lees. It was the highest seventh-wicket partnership in a Test against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s bowlers, who opted to go with a four-pronged pace attack, were unable to capitalize on the greenish wicket that had eased for batting. Naseem Shah was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking 3-93, while Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed two late wickets for 2-88. The remaining seamers, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali, claimed two wickets each.
Despite their valiant effort, the Pakistani bowlers were unable to contain Bangladesh’s resilient batting lineup. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan’s partnership proved to be the turning point of the match, putting Bangladesh firmly in control.
Pakistan’s second innings began poorly with the early dismissal of opener Saim Ayub, leaving them at 23-1 at stumps. They trail by a daunting 94 runs going into Day 5.
With a strong lead and a potent bowling attack, Bangladesh will be confident of securing victory in the first test. The match has become a tense battle, with the fate of the first Test hanging in the balance.
