DHAKA, Aug 23, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh batters shined in impeccably to keep the side battle neck-to-neck with Pakistan on Day 3 of the two-match series opening Test at Rawalpindi today.

Opener Shadman Islam made a patient 93, missing out his well-deserved ton by 7 runs while fifties from Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das helped Bangladesh reach 316-5 at stumps.

To the further delight of Bangladesh, well-set batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das are in the crease with 55 and 52 run respectively as the visitors are trailing by 132 runs. Pakistan declared its first innings on 448-6.

Resuming the day on 27 for no loss, Bangladesh's lost the wicket in just fifth over, when Zakir Hasan edged a Naseem Shah delivery behind. He added just one run to his overnight 11 to be out on 12.

Soon after Bangladesh received further setback when skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was dismissed by Khurram Shahzad after making 16.
That left Bangladesh 53-2 and a potential danger to be collapsed as they did in the past.

Shadman, however, remained stubborn and led the side's revival with fifty plus partnership-firstly with Mominul Haque and secondly with Mushfiqur Rahim.

He shared 94-run with Mominul who made 50 before his stump being rattled by Khurram Shahzad. It was Mominul's 19th half-century.

Shadman, however, tamely approached his second Test ton but he perished to a drive shot. He hit a dozen of boundaries after playing 183 balls for his 93.

Before being out, he shared 52-run with Mushfiqur, who was thoroughly patient in his approach. He was the key in wearing down the Pakistani pacers in a pitch that offered little.

But Shakib Al Hasan, who just was charged with alleged murder back in country during a student-led mass movement, failed to capitalize on it.
 
He rather had soft dismissal as he hit aerially straight to Pakistan captain Shan Masood at extra over to give Saim Ayub his first Test wicket. He made just 15.

With Bangladesh at 218-5, Pakistan sneaked a chance to dominate the Test but Liton Das's attacking approach made them in disarray.
Liton treated Pakistan bowlers in disdain to bring up his 17th Test half-century, playing only 53 balls as he smashed Naseem Shah a series of boundaries. He however hit eight fours and a six, the only six of Bangladesh's innings so far.

Khurram Shahzad was the pick of Pakistan bowlers with 2-47 while Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali and Saim Ayub took one wicket apiece.