Lunch Bangladesh 262 and 122 for 2 (Zakir 40, Shanto 33*, Hamza 1-34) need 63 runs to win against Pakistan 274 and 172

Zakir, however, did not last long. Mir Hamza, who had found the right spot just next to the length zone outside off, got a ball coming from the over-the-wicket line into the crease and after pitching, held his line and did enough to beat Zakir’s outside off and reach the top of the off-stump.

Both Hamza and Ali hit the dot balls and ensured there were no easy runs. When Shanto finally took the lead on his tenth ball, it was the first run Bangladesh had scored in 25 deliveries. Hamza then released a thick outside edge off Shadman’s bat that flew past second slip to the left of Salman Agha. He made a valiant attempt to dive one-handed but could not hold onto the ball. A third slip would have ruined the catch, but it was not to be.

Shadman couldn’t make much of the respite and fell to a loose drive eight balls later. Khurram Shahzad floated the ball up and outside the off and the opener continued to fly up and straight to a pumped-up Shan Masood.

Pakistan’s hopes of a comeback were dashed by Shanto and Mominul. The hosts had their chances and sent in a few crosses, but the ball kept eluding the fielders. Both Shanto and Mominul were cautious, knowing that time was not the problem as they switched shots and slowly but steadily made their way towards the target.

Shanto was aggressive a couple more times, cheekily smashing Ali through midwicket and then smashing Shahzad to the ground, but Mominul was happy just to get the singles. Mominul showed some aggression only once, when he smashed Abrar Ahmed through midwicket for four.

Masood initiated the changes and brought Hamza back into the game before lunch, but the duo remained unmoved.