Taskin Ahmed struck again to break a crucial partnership as Pakistan slipped to 212 for 7 while chasing 291 against Bangladesh in the series-deciding match.
Taskin dismissed Agha Salman to end a dangerous stand with Fahim Ashraf, bringing Bangladesh closer to victory at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Earlier, Pakistan had reached the 200-run mark in the 38th over but had already lost more wickets than Bangladesh at the same stage of the innings.
Salman had emerged as the key figure in Pakistan’s chase after earlier setbacks. The middle-order batter, who scored 62 runs in the previous match, once again played a fighting knock and completed a half-century to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive.
Before Taskin’s breakthrough, Pakistan had built a promising partnership for the sixth wicket. Debutant Saad Masood added 79 runs with Salman before being dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman. Masood, playing his first international match, scored 38 off 44 balls.
After his departure, Fahim Ashraf joined Salman at the crease and the pair tried to stabilise the innings. However, Taskin eventually broke the stand, leaving Pakistan under pressure again.
Pakistan were 212 for 7 at the latest update, with Fahim Ashraf at the crease.
Earlier in the chase, Pakistan had suffered a dramatic collapse, losing five wickets for just 82 runs.
Openers Shahibzada Farhan and Maj Sadaqat were dismissed early by Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana respectively, while former captain Mohammad Rizwan was bowled by Taskin, leaving Pakistan struggling at 17 for 3 inside three overs.
Later, Abdul Samad and Ghazi Gouri briefly resisted with a 50-run stand, but Rana and Mustafizur removed them in quick succession.
Bangladesh earlier posted 290 for 5 after a brilliant century by Tanjid Hasan Tamim, who scored 107 off 107 balls with seven sixes and six fours. Liton Das added 41, while Towhid Hridoy contributed 48.
With Pakistan still needing a significant number of runs and only three wickets remaining, Bangladesh appear to be closing in on victory in the decisive match.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
