Day 4 of the 2nd Test at Sylhet was a captivating battle of attrition as Pakistan's batters dug deep against Bangladesh's bowlers on a wearing pitch, keeping alive their hopes of pulling off one of Test cricket's great rearguard actions. Needing 437 to win, Pakistan ended the day on 316 for 7 in 86 overs — still 121 runs short, with three wickets in hand. Half-centuries from Shan Masood and Babar Azam set the foundation, before Mohammad Rizwan (75*) and Salman Agha (50) put on a crucial 100-run sixth-wicket partnership to give Pakistan a fighting chance heading into the final day.
Official Changes for Day 4
On-field Umpire: Richard Kettleborough replaced Kumar Dharmasena
TV Umpire: Kumar Dharmasena replaced Masudur Rehaman
4th Umpire: Masudur Rehaman replaced Din Islam
Quick Scorecard — Day 4
Bangladesh 1st Innings: 278 all out (77.0 overs)
Pakistan 1st Innings: 232 all out (57.4 overs)
Bangladesh 2nd Innings: 390 all out (102.2 overs)
Target (Pakistan): 437 runs to win
Pakistan 2nd Innings — End of Day: 316/7 in 86.0 overs (Rizwan 75*, Sajid Khan 8*)
Still Required: 121 runs from 3 wickets
Pakistan 2nd Innings: 316/7 — The Fight Is On
Early Wicket, Then Masood and Babar Steady the Ship
Pakistan resumed on 0 for no loss after bad light ended Day 3 early, and were 39 for 1 at the first drinks break — Azan Awais (20) and Shan Masood (9) at the crease, having already lost one opener. Pakistan survived a nervy DRS moment in the 16th over when they reviewed a decision against Awais — umpire's call saved him, the challenge struck down but the batter remaining. Pakistan crossed 50 in 18.1 overs.
The partnership between Shan Masood and Babar Azam quickly became the innings' backbone. They put on a 50-run third-wicket stand in just 51 balls — Masood (31) and Babar (20) playing with purpose — and Pakistan reached 100 in 25.1 overs. At lunch, Pakistan were 101 for 2 with Masood on 41 and Babar on 24, very much in the contest.
Shan Masood and Babar Azam's 50-run stand in 51 balls was Pakistan's fastest of the chase — a statement that they were not merely surviving, but competing.
Masood's Fifty and a Mid-Session Scare
Shan Masood brought up a measured half-century off 82 balls with 6 fours after lunch, continuing to anchor the innings with composure. Pakistan reached 150 in 41.6 overs and were 152 for 3 at drinks, with Masood on 64 and new batter Saud Shakeel on 5. Just after the break, Pakistan used their review for Shakeel — successfully overturning a decision in the 43rd over to keep him at the crease.
Despite some resistance, Pakistan lost wickets at key moments. They were 200 for 5 at tea in 53 overs — Salman Agha (25) and Mohammad Rizwan (15) having to rebuild once more, the target of 437 looking increasingly difficult but not yet out of reach.
Rizwan and Salman Agha: The Partnership That Kept Pakistan in It
The evening session belonged to Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha, who combined for a match-defining sixth-wicket partnership of 100 runs in 167 balls. Their stand produced 50 in 70 balls first, Pakistan crossing 250 in the 69th over. Rizwan brought up his fifty off 86 balls — 7 fours in a knock of great character — while Salman Agha reached his own half-century off 74 balls (4 fours, 1 six), the pair refusing to capitulate against an increasingly confident Bangladesh attack.
Rizwan and Salman Agha's 100-run stand was the longest and most valuable partnership of Pakistan's second innings — built on resolve, not runs alone.
New Ball and the Final Push
Bangladesh took the new ball at 80.2 overs, hoping to end the resistance. It yielded the wicket of Salman Agha as Pakistan crossed 300 in the 82nd over. Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 75 at stumps, accompanied by Sajid Khan (8), with Pakistan ending the day on 316 for 7. Three wickets separate Bangladesh from a famous victory, and 121 runs separate Pakistan from the unlikeliest of wins.