Sylhet, May 18, 2026: Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim struck a masterful century as Bangladesh set Pakistan a daunting target of 427 runs to win the second Test on Monday, after another dominant batting display by the hosts.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 390 in their second innings on day three, with Mushfiqur scoring 137 and Litton Das contributing 69. The duo shared a crucial 123-run stand for the fifth wicket that firmly shifted momentum in Bangladesh’s favour.
The 39-year-old Mushfiqur produced a vintage innings, registering his 14th Test century and surpassing former captain Mominul Haque’s record of 13 Test hundreds for Bangladesh. His knock was his eighth Test century since 2022, underlining his enduring form and experience.
Bangladesh resumed the day on 110 for 3 with a lead of 156 runs and, despite losing skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto early for 15, maintained control through Mushfiqur and Litton’s partnership.
Litton, who had earlier scored a century in the first innings, looked set for another big score before being dismissed by Hasan Ali at deep third man. Later, all-round resistance from Taijul Islam helped push the total further, adding valuable runs in a 77-run stand with Mushfiqur.
Mushfiqur eventually fell as the last wicket, giving Sajid Khan his third scalp of the innings. Pakistan pacer Khurram Shahzad finished with figures of 4 for 86, while Sajid returned 3 for 126.
Chasing 427 to level the two-match series, Pakistan openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal safely negotiated the final two overs of the day before bad light brought an early end to play.
The target marks a historic challenge, with the highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test cricket being 418 by the West Indies against Australia in 2003, while Pakistan have never successfully chased more than 377 runs.
Pakistan pace bowling coach Umar Gul said his side remains confident heading into the final days of the Test, insisting that disciplined batting partnerships could still keep the chase alive.
Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam, however, warned that the pressure of a record target would weigh heavily on the visitors as the match heads into its decisive phase.
