Rahim and Das shine with fifties to keep Bangladesh in the game
Their unbeaten partnership of 98 runs for the sixth wicket kept Bangladesh's hopes alive for either a draw or a historic win.
On the third day of the first Test in Rawalpindi, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das struck crucial half-centuries to lift Bangladesh to a solid 316-5 at the close of play, trailing Pakistan by 132 runs.
Shadman Islam, who narrowly missed a century, anchored Bangladesh's innings with a patient 93 off 183 balls. His departure, bowled just before tea by Mohammad Ali, left a slight gap in the middle order, but Rahim and Das ensured that the innings continued to build momentum.
Bangladesh's position improved steadily as the day progressed, with Rahim reaching his 28th Test fifty with a well-timed boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi. Das also reached his fifty with a combination of boundaries and a six in one over from Naseem Shah, who, along with other pacers, had difficulty exploiting the pitch's diminishing pace.
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The day's play saw Shadman and Rahim adding 52 runs for the fourth wicket, following a vital 94-run stand between Shadman and Mominul Haque, who scored 50. Despite a resilient innings from Shadman, who hit 12 boundaries during his five-hour stay, he was dismissed just before reaching his second Test hundred.
Earlier, Bangladesh had lost Zakir Hasan and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in the extended morning session due to Friday prayers. Zakir was caught by Mohammad Rizwan off Naseem Shah, while Shanto was bowled by Khurram Shahzad.
Pakistan's bowlers, including Khurram Shahzad with 2-47, struggled to make an impact on a pitch that had become increasingly unresponsive. Agha Salman's part-time spin dismissed Shakib Al Hasan for 15, while Shadman was saved from an lbw decision by a review.
The match continues to be part of the World Test Championship's third cycle, with the second Test set to commence in Rawalpindi on 30 August.
