Pakistan were in serious trouble, having lost half their side for 162 while chasing 437 against Bangladesh before tea on day four of the second Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
At tea, Pakistan were 200-5, still requiring 237 runs to win the match and level the series.
Continuing after lunch at 101-2, the Green Shirts lost Babar Azam at 133 as Taijul Islam broke the 92-run stand between him and Shan Masood. Babar made 47 off 52 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and one six.
Saud Shakeel had a brief stay at the crease as Rana struck early, removing him cheaply for six off 21 deliveries, leaving Pakistan struggling at 154-4.
Shan continued to resist for his side, bringing up his 14th Test fifty, which also helped Pakistan cross the 150-run mark. However, Taijul struck again to remove Shan, who played a solid innings of 71 off 116 deliveries, hitting eight fours, further putting the visitors under pressure at five wickets down.
The pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha carried the innings forward, adding crucial runs that helped Pakistan’s total surpass the 200-run mark.
Resuming the day at an overnight score of 0-0, Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal added 27 runs before Nahid Rana removed the latter for 6. Awais (21) was then dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz to leave Pakistan 41-2.
After the early loss of both openers, Skipper Shan Masood and Babar Azam steadied progress as Pakistan made 101-2 at lunch, still requiring 335 more runs to win, with eight wickets remaining going into the next session.
Shan was unbeaten on 41, while Babar was on 24 not out.
In their first innings, Bangladesh were bowled out for 278 despite slipping to 116/6 shortly, largely due to a composed and commanding innings from Litton Das, who held the innings together and guided the lower order. The right-handed batter top-scored with a magnificent 126 off 159 deliveries, laced with 16 fours and two sixes.
For Pakistan, Khurram Shahzad was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 81 runs in 17 overs. Mohammad Abbas picked up three wickets, while Hasan Ali took two.
In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 232 in, handing Bangladesh a 46-run first-innings lead. Babar Azam top-scored with a fighting 68 off 84 deliveries, while Sajid Khan made a valuable contribution lower down the order with a quickfire 38 off 28 balls.
Pacer Nahid Rana and spinner Taijul Islam led Bangladesh’s bowling attack with three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets apiece.
In their second innings, the hosts were bowled out for 390, setting Pakistan a daunting 437-run target courtesy of an exceptional century by Mushfiqur Rahim.
Khurram Shahzad starred with figures of 4/86 in 20 overs, while Sajid Khan claimed three wickets.