BAN vs PAK 1st Test: Shanto, Haque extend lead to 179 on rain-marred Day 4

Bangladesh extended their lead to 179 runs on a rain-marred Day 4 of the first Test against Pakistan on Monday, May 11, at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. Mominul Haque (56) and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (58*) continued their rich form from the first innings to bring their team to a strong position, finishing on 152/3 at stumps.

Earlier, Bangladesh resumed their second innings on 7/0 with openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam at the crease.  The duo could only extend their partnership to 15 as Mohammad Abbas (1/35, 14 overs) struck early in the day, dismissing Mahmudul Hasan Joy (5) lbw.

His partner, Shadman Islam followed shortly after, being caught in the gully against Hasan Ali (1/23 in 11.3 overs). After two early, blows Haque and Shanto got together at the crease, stitching another crucial stand to stabilise the innings. The duo survived some close calls and saw off the first session without any more casualties as Bangladesh went into Lunch on 93/2 after 31 overs.

However, incessant rain at the venue washed out the entire second session and a major portion of the third session, leaving players frustrated. When the play finally resumed, Mominul Haque brought up his fifth successive half-century in Tests, while Shanto completed his sixth fifty in the longest format.

Shaheen Afridi strikes late in the day

The duo extended their partnership to 105 runs for the third wicket, bringing the hosts into a good position. Shaheen Afridi (1/39, 12 overs) struck late in the day for Pakistan, finding the edge of Haque’s bat, which went straight into wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan’s gloves.

Mushfiqur Rahim walked in at number five and hung around with Shanto for 46 balls, before bad light brought an early end to the day’s play. Almost 40 overs were lost due to inclement weather. To make up for the lost time, the final day’s play of the Test will begin at 9:15 am local time.