Chattogram Test: Shaheen puts pressure back on Bangladesh

Despite securing a 44-run first-innings lead in Chattogram Test on Sunday, Bangladesh are struggling at the end of day three as Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi picked up three quick wickets in the third session.

At stumps on day three, Bangladesh are leading by 83 runs with six wickets in hand. They were batting at 39 for four with Mushfiqur Rahim and debutant Yasir Ali remaining unbeaten for 12 and 8 respectively.

Shaheen bowled six overs in the last session of day three and bagged three wickets conceding only six runs.

Two of Bangladesh top order batters— Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque, suffered a duck each while the other one, Shadman Islam, posted only a single. And, two of them were removed by Shaheen while Hassan Ali scalped the other one.

It was Mominul’s first duck after 13 innings. Bangladesh captain contributed only six in the first innings of the match.

Saif Hassan, who failed to do anything in the first innings, came up with a 34-ball 18 but failed to continue on a good start despite having some animated advice from the veteran Mushfiqur in the middle.

Mushfiqur and Yasir spent the last 40 minutes of the day to ensure no further setback for the hosts.

Before Bangladesh squandered the advantage in the final session of the day, they wrapped up Pakistan for 286. Taijul Islam, Bangladesh’s only specialist left-arm spinner in this match, bagged seven wickets to bowl out Pakistan from 146-0 to 286.

Abid Ali was the best batter for the visitors hitting 133 while the debutant Abdullah Shafique scored 52.

Earlier, Bangladesh posted 330 in their first innings after deciding to bat first, with Liton Das hitting his maiden ton in Tests, and Mushfiqur Rahim coming up with a well-composed 91. For Pakistan, Hasan Ali bagged five.