Khairul Alam ; Sports Desk: A commanding fifth-wicket partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das put Bangladesh in a dominant position before Pakistan managed a breakthrough on Day 3 of the ongoing Test.
The duo stitched together a crucial 123-run stand, steering the hosts out of early trouble and stretching the lead past 280 runs.
At the end of 64 overs, Bangladesh reached 241 for 5, holding a formidable overall lead of 287 runs, with Mushfiqur Rahim unbeaten on 53 alongside Mehidy Hasan Miraz on 2.
Morning Hiccup and Steady Recovery
The day didn’t start ideally for the hosts. Bangladesh suffered an early blow in the fourth over of the morning session when captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was trapped LBW by Pakistani pacer Khurram Shahzad for 15. Shanto’s dismissal left Bangladesh reeling at 115 for 4.
However, first-innings centurion Litton Das joined the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim at the crease. The duo batted responsibly to weather the initial storm, denying the Pakistani bowlers any further success in the first session.
By lunch, Bangladesh had reached 203 for 4, adding 93 runs for the loss of just one wicket in 26.2 overs, pushing their total lead to 249 runs.
Twin Fifties and the Breakthrough
Both batters reached their respective milestones right after the lunch break. Litton Das was the first to bring up his half-century, smashing a boundary off Khurram Shahzad.
It was his 20th Test fifty, coming off 67 balls and decorated with four boundaries. Mushfiqur Rahim followed suit shortly after, bringing up his 30th Test half-century off 103 balls.
Just as the partnership was looking ominous for Pakistan, pacer Hasan Ali struck. He broke the 123-run stand by dismissing Litton Das for a well-made 69 off 92 balls, caught by Saud Shakeel.
Despite Litton’s departure, Bangladesh remains firmly in control of the Test match with a healthy second-innings lead.