Miraz spins Tigers into lead

Bangladesh edged ahead in a finely poised contest after Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s incisive 5-wicket haul helped dismiss Pakistan for 386 on a rain-disrupted third day, giving the hosts a slender first-innings lead.

At stumps, Bangladesh were 7 for no loss in their second innings after 1.5 overs, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam steady at the crease before bad light brought an early end at 5:30pm, cutting short what had already been a stop-start day.

The Tigers ended the day with a lead of 34 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.

Miraz once again stood at the centre of Bangladesh’s resistance, returning figures of 5 for 102 to claim his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests.

Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam provided valuable backing with two wickets apiece, while Nahid Rana added one as Pakistan were bowled out after resuming their innings in a commanding position.

The day, however, belonged in large part to Pakistan debutant Azan Awais, whose fluent 103 formed the backbone of their reply.

The 21-year-old left-hander displayed poise and authority, driving elegantly through the off side while also punishing anything loose on the leg.

He stitched together two crucial century stands -- 106 with Imam-ul-Haq and 104 with fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal -- becoming part of only the third debutant pair in Pakistan’s history to register a hundred-run partnership.

Awais’s dismissal, however, triggered a dramatic collapse.

Taskin removed him at first slip, reaching the milestone of his 50th Test wicket in the process. He soon followed up by sending Pakistan captain Shan Masood back for 9, caught at point.

Miraz then struck in quick succession, trapping Saud Shakeel lbw for a duck before luring Fazal into a mistimed stroke that was safely pouched by Taijul at mid-on.

Fazal, who had played a composed supporting role with a 120-ball 60 including 7 fours and a six, saw Pakistan unravel from 210 for 1 to 230 for 5 just before lunch.

Salman Agha (58) and Mohammad Rizwan (59) attempted to stabilise the innings, adding useful runs in a 15-boundary stand.

Rizwan brought up a determined half-century but fell immediately after, charging Taijul and picking out Mahmudul Hasan Joy at mid-off moments before heavy rain swept across the ground.

After a lengthy interruption, play resumed late in the evening, only for Pakistan’s lower order to fold quickly.

Agha fell at slip, Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi departed in rapid succession to Miraz, and Hasan was bowled by Taijul to end the innings roughly an hour before the scheduled close.

Bangladesh now hold a crucial, if slender, advantage in a match finely balanced heading into the final days.