Bangladesh inched closer to a historic home series sweep over Pakistan after Mushfiqur Rahim produced a record-breaking century to set the visitors a mammoth fourth-innings target of 437 runs on Day 3 of the second Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Resuming at 110 for 3 under overcast skies, Bangladesh rode on Mushfiqur’s masterful 137 off 233 deliveries to post 390 in their second innings, stretching their overall lead to 436.
No team in the 149-year history of Test cricket has successfully chased more than 418 runs in the fourth innings, leaving Pakistan with a near-impossible task heading into the final two days.
The 35-year-old Mushfiqur was the last batter dismissed, his innings studded with 12 fours and a six. More significantly, the knock marked his 14th Test century, making him Bangladesh’s highest century-maker in the longest format.
He surpassed Mominul Haque’s tally of 13 hundreds to claim the record outright, further cementing his legacy in red-ball cricket.
The milestone came in emotional fashion. After resuming the post-tea session on 90, Mushfiqur had to wait patiently before steering pacer Mohammad Abbas past gully for a boundary to bring up his century off 178 balls.
He celebrated passionately — raising both arms, dropping his bat, embracing Taijul Islam and performing a Sajdah as teammates applauded from the dressing room.
Bangladesh suffered an early setback in the morning when Khurram Shahzad trapped captain Najmul Hossain Shanto leg-before with a sharp inswinger in just the fourth over of the day. However, Mushfiqur and Liton Das absorbed the pressure with composure and discipline.
The pair stitched together a crucial 123-run stand for the fifth wicket, blunting Pakistan’s attack and steadily building Bangladesh’s advantage. Liton, who had already struck a sublime 126 in the first innings, followed it up with an elegant 69 before falling to a short-pitched delivery from Hasan Ali. By then, Bangladesh’s lead had swelled close to 300.
Khurram, Pakistan’s most successful bowler with figures of 4-86, later removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 19, but Mushfiqur found another dependable ally in Taijul Islam.
The duo added 77 runs for the seventh wicket, further frustrating the visitors and pushing the target well beyond the psychological 400-run mark.
Sajid Khan eventually dismissed Taijul for 22 and later wrapped up the innings by removing Mushfiqur, finishing with 3-126.
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh had scored 278 in their first innings, powered by Liton’s fluent century. The bowlers then responded impressively to dismiss Pakistan for 232, earning a vital 46-run lead that laid the foundation for the commanding position they now enjoy.