Shanto leads charge as Bangladesh set Pakistan 268 to win in first Test

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto struck a fluent 87 as Bangladesh set Pakistan a target of 268 runs for a victory in the first cricket Test today. Pakistan were 6-1 at lunch on Day 5, the final day of the game, with Taskin Ahmed giving Bangladesh an early breakthrough by dismissing Imam-ul-Haq for 2, handing the hosts an early psychological advantage. Resuming the day on 152-3 and with an overall lead of 179, Bangladesh declared their second innings on 240-9, leaving themselves at least 76 overs to force a result.

As it was expected, Bangladesh adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, with Shanto leading the charge after the early loss of Mushfiqur Rahim, who holed out a delivery of Hasan Ali to be caught at mid-off for 22. Shanto, who had scored a century in the first innings, hit seven boundaries in his 87 before being trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Noman Ali.

Noman, who finished with 3-76, continued to trouble Bangladesh's middle and lower order despite their counterattacking approach. Mehidy Hasan Miraz added a brisk 24 off 27 balls to push the lead beyond 250, while Taskin chipped in with a quickfire 11 off five deliveries. Hasan Ali ended with 3-52 after removing Taskin, caught by Imam-ul-Haq, shortly before Bangladesh declared.

Pakistan's first innings centurion Azan Awais was unbeaten on 3 at lunch, with Abdullah Fazal on 1. Earlier, Bangladesh had posted 413 in their first innings and secured a 27-run lead after bowling Pakistan out for 386, with Mehidy claiming a five-wicket haul.