Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test Series: Mushfiqur, Litton Put Bangladesh Firmly in Control Against Pakistan

Bangladesh national cricket team tightened their grip on the Sylhet Test against Pakistan national cricket team after a dominant batting display on the third afternoon, reaching 307 for 6 at tea and extending their overall lead to 353 runs.

Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 90 at the interval, while Taijul Islam provided support at the other end on 8 not out. Despite picking up two wickets in the session, Pakistan struggled to break Bangladesh’s control of the contest.

Mushfiqur, Litton Lead Bangladesh Charge

The afternoon session belonged largely to Mushfiqur and Litton Das, who frustrated the Pakistan bowlers with a composed and aggressive partnership.

Litton reached his half-century in the opening over after lunch, marking the third occasion in his career that he has registered both a century and a fifty in the same Test match. The achievement made him the most successful Bangladesh wicketkeeper in that category, surpassing Mushfiqur’s previous mark of two such instances.

The right-hander also enjoyed a slice of luck when Sajid Khan dropped a return catch off his own bowling with Litton on 58.

Soon after Mushfiqur brought up his fifty, Litton’s innings came to an end on 69 when his attempted uppercut off Hasan Ali was caught by Saud Shakeel at fly slip.

Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad continued to impress, claiming his fourth wicket by clean-bowling Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 19.

Tension Rises in Sylhet

The gloomy atmosphere in Sylhet briefly came alive when Mushfiqur became involved in a heated exchange with Pakistan captain Shan Masood, who also appeared to direct comments toward Taijul.

Bangladesh responded immediately on the field as Taijul produced a fearless pull shot off Shahzad, drawing loud cheers from the crowd and underlining the home side’s confidence.

Mushfiqur then accelerated the scoring, attacking Sajid with powerful straight drives before collecting consecutive boundaries off Shahzad to move closer to another Test century.

Pakistan Struggle for Breakthroughs

Earlier in the day, Shahzad had provided Pakistan an early breakthrough by trapping Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw for 15 with a delivery that jagged back sharply.

Bangladesh initially adopted a cautious approach before Litton counterattacked with fluent strokeplay. The wicketkeeper-batter survived a major scare on 38 after a mix-up with Mushfiqur left him stranded mid-pitch, but Babar Azam failed to hit the stumps with a direct throw.

Pakistan had earlier been bowled out for 232 in their first innings, with Babar top-scoring with 68. Sajid provided late resistance with a flurry of four sixes, but Bangladesh’s bowlers remained dominant.

Pace sensation Nahid Rana and spinner Taijul claimed three wickets each, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s strong second innings with a brisk half-century.

With Mushfiqur still at the crease and the lead already beyond 350, Bangladesh head into the final sessions in a commanding position as Pakistan search desperately for a route back into the Test.