Late Mominul drama keeps Bangladesh in Pakistan sights

MominulHaque - Cropped

The late wicket of Mominul Haque curtailed Bangladesh's momentum as they ended day one of the first Test against Pakistan on 236-4 in Khulna on Tuesday.

The hosts won all three one-day internationals as well as the sole Twenty20 meeting going into the two-match series.

Three dropped catches as well as the efforts of Mominul (80) and Mahmudullah (49) had laid the foundations for a healthy total as they came within five runs of a century partnership, although Bangladesh lost both before the close of play.

Mahmudullah went midway through the evening session, though Mominul falling lbw to the final ball of the day swung momentum back into Pakistan's favour.

Tamim Iqbal (25) made slow progress before he edged a Yasir Shah (1-58) delivery onto his pads and straight to short leg, though opening partner Imrul Kayes survived a third-ball lbw review to rack up a second Test half-century.

Imrul (51) fell immediately after reaching his milestone, a leading edge giving Mohammad Hafeez a simple caught and bowled chance.

That left Bangladesh on 92-2 - before Mominul and Mahmudullah set about getting their side in the ascendancy.

Their 95-run union took Bangladesh to 150 by tea and the pair continued to frustrate Pakistan in the third session as Mominul passed 50 in the 69th over.

Another bat-pad appeal from Shah saw Mominul reprieved on 53 – the batsman responding with a fine reverse-sweep for four later in the over.

Wahab Riaz's typical aggression had enjoyed little reward, but the rapid left-armer tempted a nervy-looking Mahmudullah into a loose shot as he stuttered on the brink of his fifty – wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed holding a fine one-handed catch on a day of disappointment otherwise in the field for Pakistan.

Shakib Al Hasan (19 not out) and Mominul appeared to have seen off six overs against the new ball to end the day, but the latter came unstuck to Zulfiqar Babar, given lbw after a review.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim is likely to be the new man at the crease at the start of Wednesday's play, as the hosts' middle order look to move them into a commanding position.

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