MIRPUR, Bangladesh: Pakistan national cricket team debutant Abdullah Fazal produced a composed unbeaten half-century to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive in a tense chase against Bangladesh national cricket team on the fifth day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a target of 268, Pakistan reached 116-3 at tea in 31 overs, still needing 152 runs for victory.
Fazal remained unbeaten on 66, while Salman Ali Agha was batting on 21 after the pair helped Pakistan recover from early pressure.
The visitors suffered an immediate setback when Taskin Ahmed dismissed opener Imam-ul-Haq for two in the opening over.
Fazal and fellow debutant Azan Awais rebuilt the innings with a steady 54-run partnership before Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed Azan for 15.
Pakistan then lost captain Shan Masood cheaply after Nahid Rana struck to leave the visitors under pressure at 59-3.
However, Fazal continued to bat confidently alongside Salman Ali Agha, guiding Pakistan beyond the 100-run mark and bringing up his second half-century of the match.
Earlier, Bangladesh declared their second innings at 240-9, setting Pakistan a challenging target after skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 87 and Mominul Haque added 56.
For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali claimed three wickets each.
