Mirpur, May 11, 2026: Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has said the visiting side will “definitely go for the win” in the first Test against Bangladesh, setting the stage for an intriguing final day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan face a challenging target scenario after Bangladesh closed day four at 152-3 in their second innings, stretching their overall lead to 179 runs in a rain-affected contest.
Speaking to the media at the end of the fourth day, Agha said Pakistan would back themselves if presented with a chase, even under difficult conditions.
“If they are brave enough to give us 70 overs and a target of around 260, we will definitely go for the chase,” Agha said. “Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day of Test cricket. We just want to get them out as quickly as we can.”
The 32-year-old, however, added that he does not expect Bangladesh to declare in a way that sets up a straightforward chase, suggesting the home side would likely prioritise securing control of the match first.
“Right now, you can’t say who has the upper hand. We will try to bowl them out quickly and see how the situation develops,” he added. Agha clarified his comments, stressing that his remarks were not meant as a challenge to Bangladesh’s intent or competitiveness.
“I’m not saying they are not brave enough. I’m just saying the best option for them would be to take us out of the game first and then set a target,” he said. He further noted that if Pakistan were in a similar position, they would adopt the same strategic approach to maximise their chances of victory.
“If we get a target, we will assess the pitch and go for it. But our mindset is simple — we want to win this game,” he said. The final day of the Test is expected to hinge on Bangladesh’s declaration strategy and Pakistan’s ability to chase under pressure on a wearing pitch.
