SYLHET: Pakistan produced a spirited batting display to keep themselves alive in pursuit of a record 437-run chase in the second cricket Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Tuesday. Resuming at 0-0, Pakistan closed the fourth day at 316 for seven, still 121 runs short of what would be a historic victory, if achieved.

Captain Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha both scored 71, while Babar Azam contributed an attractive 47 to underpin Pakistan’s strong reply. When play ended, Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on 75 with Sajid Khan his partner on eight not out.

Pakistan were comfortably placed at 296 for five when Taijul Islam struck twice in quick succession with the second new ball — bowling Salman through bat and pad with an arm-ball before having Hasan Ali caught in the slips after Rizwan exposed his partner by taking a single off the first delivery of the over. Taijul had earlier dismissed Babar, unluckily caught down the leg-side by Litton Das, and Shan, brilliantly held at forward short-leg by Mahmudul Hasan Joy.

Throughout the day, Pakistan’s batters continued to shift the pressure back onto Bangladesh by batting with intent — rotating the strike consistently and punishing anything loose. The positive approach was reflected in 31 fours and two sixes struck on a day that produced 316 runs for the loss of seven wickets, the second most productive day of the match after the second day yielded 321 runs for 13 wickets.

Pakistan reached 101 for two at lunch, 200 for five at tea, before adding a further 116 in the final session. This approach had been conspicuously absent in the three earlier innings of the series, in which Pakistan managed 386, 232 and 163.

Nonetheless, despite the much-improved batting display, Pakistan’s senior batters could not produce the one substantial innings that could have swung the match decisively in their favour. When play resumes on Wednesday, Bangladesh will start as clear favourites, with Rizwan needing to produce something extraordinary alongside the last three wickets to shift the outcome Pakistan’s way.

After both openers — Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais — departed at 41, Shan and Babar stitched a 92-run partnership from 115 balls to drag Pakistan back into the contest. A harmless Taijul delivery down the leg-side then ended Babar’s 52-ball innings — an innings of trademark grace and elegance undone by misfortune rather than any failing of the batter.

Saud Shakeel’s difficult tour continued when Nahid Rana had him caught behind for six from 21 balls, leaving Pakistan 154 for four after being 133 for two.

The score became 162 for five when Mahmudul Hasan Joy completed a sharp reflex catch at forward short-leg to end Shan’s resolute knock. The captain led from the front, looking in fine touch and striking the ball crisply throughout his 116-ball innings of 71, which included eight fours.

Salman and Rizwan then steadied the innings beautifully, adding 134 runs for the sixth wicket from 224 balls to put Pakistan firmly back on track before Taijul struck again with the second new ball. He bowled Salman through the gate and accounted for Hasan Ali — caught in the slips after Rizwan had taken a single to expose the tail — to end a partnership that had threatened to change the match’s complexion.

Salman scored 71 from 102 balls with six fours and a six. Hasan departed for a duck from six balls.

Rizwan’s unbeaten 75 from 134 balls, studded with eight boundaries, has been marked by courage, application and composure in equal measure. He has also had to contend with persistent chatter from close-in fielders, most notably Litton Das, whose comments have been audible on the stump microphone. Rizwan has handled both the bowling and the verbals with admirable calm — but faces a stern test on the fifth morning, resuming with only three wickets in hand and 121 runs still required.

The odds remain against Pakistan. But after three innings of capitulation, they have at least given themselves — and their long-suffering supporters — something to believe in.

Scores in brief:

2nd Test (day four of five, Sylhet. Target 437, Pakistan need another 121 more runs)

BANGLADESH 278 all out, 77 overs (Litton Das 126, Najmul Hossain Shanto 29, Tanzid Hasan 26, Mushfiqur Rahim 23, Mominul Haque 22; Khurram Shahzad 4-81, Mohammad Abbas 3-45, Hasan Ali 2-49) and 390 all out (Mushfiqur Rahim 137, Litton Das 69, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 52, Mominul Haque 30, Taijul Islam 22; Khurram Shahzad 4-86, Sajid Khan 3-126, Hasan Ali 2-83)

PAKISTAN 232 all out, 57.4 overs (Babar Azam 68, Sajid Khan 38, Shan Masood 21, Salman Agha 21, Hasan Ali 18; Nahid Rana 3-60, Taijul Islam 3-67, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-21, Taskin Ahmed 2-37) and 316-7 (Mohammad Rizwan 75 not out, Salman Ali Agha 71, Shan Masood 71, Babar Azam 47, Azan Awais 21; Taijul Islam 4-113, Nahid Rana 2-58)