Sylhet, May 19, 2026: Bangladesh are just three wickets away from a landmark Test series victory on home soil after spinner Taijul Islam produced a decisive spell to put Pakistan under immense pressure in the second Test on Tuesday.
At stumps on day four, Pakistan were 316-7, still requiring 121 runs to achieve a record-breaking chase of 437 on the final day in Sylhet. Mohammad Rizwan, on 75, and Sajid Khan, on 8, remained unbeaten overnight as Pakistan clung to slim hopes of pulling off a historic victory.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam led Bangladesh’s charge with figures of 4-113, removing key Pakistan batters including Babar Azam for 47 and Salman Ali Agha for 71 to keep the hosts firmly in contention for a series-clinching win.
Bangladesh, who had already won the opening Test of the two-match series, are now on the brink of their first-ever home Test series victory against Pakistan and could secure back-to-back series wins over them after a 2-0 whitewash in Pakistan in 2024.
If successful, Bangladesh would complete one of their most significant achievements in Test cricket history.
Pakistan’s innings saw dramatic shifts in momentum across the day. After losing early wickets, captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam rebuilt with a counter-attacking stand that took Pakistan to 101-2 at lunch.
However, the afternoon session swung in Bangladesh’s favour as Taijul Islam and fellow bowlers struck at regular intervals.
Babar Azam was dismissed after a sharp catch by wicketkeeper Litton Das off Taijul, while Nahid Rana removed Saud Shakeel for just six with a precise delivery.
Taijul then trapped Shan Masood for a well-made 71, leaving Pakistan reeling at 200-5 by tea.
Pakistan briefly revived their chase through a determined 134-run sixth-wicket partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, which frustrated the home side and kept Pakistan’s hopes alive.
However, Taijul broke the stand with a clever arm ball to dismiss Agha, and Hasan Ali fell soon after without scoring, leaving Pakistan seven down before the close.
Rizwan and Sajid Khan survived the remaining overs to carry Pakistan into the final day.
Pakistan now face a daunting task, needing 121 more runs to achieve what would be the highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test history. The current record remains West Indies’ 418 against Australia in Antigua in 2003.
Pakistan have never successfully chased more than 377 in Test cricket.
Bangladesh bowling coach Shaun Tait remained confident ahead of the final day, saying his side believed they could finish the job.
“Our guys stayed in the fight… to take those wickets towards the end, we’re fairly happy,” he said.
Pakistan batting coach Asad Shafiq, meanwhile, expressed cautious optimism, pointing to the Rizwan–Sajid partnership as a potential match-saving stand.
“If this partnership goes long, I am very optimistic,” he said.
