Mominul, Shanto lead calm Bangladesh control on rain-interrupted Day 4 against Pakistan

Draw on the cards amid weather interruptions as hosts remain steady

Bangladesh finished a rain-disrupted day firmly on the front foot, as Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto once again anchored the innings with assurance and patience, stretching their lead to 179 runs with seven wickets still intact.

What might have been a fragmented contest due to Monday’s weather instead tilted steadily in Bangladesh’s favour, built on calm resistance and disciplined accumulation at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The afternoon session was completely lost to heavy rain, but Bangladesh had already laid a sturdy platform through a 105-run stand between Mominul (56) and Shanto (58*) -- their second century partnership of the Test and only the third such instance for the country in this format.

It effectively neutralised Pakistan’s early inroads and set the tone for the day.

Pakistan’s seamers had struck twice early, exploiting the damp conditions under lights.

Mohammad Abbas (1-35) found sharp inward movement to trap Mahmudul Hasan Joy (5) in front, while Hasan Ali generated uneven bounce to catch Shadman Islam (10) high on the bat.

For a brief spell, the visitors sensed an opening, but Mominul and Shanto restored order with familiar composure.

The pair absorbed pressure, left judiciously and rotated strike with growing confidence.

Mominul batted with restraint, Shanto gradually opening up as the partnership settled into rhythm. By the final stages before lunch, Bangladesh were dominant.

Spinners were introduced late, but Salman Ali Agha’s early threat was blunted, even as Mohammad Rizwan grassed a sharp chance.

Mominul soon answered with intent, stepping out to loft a clean strike over the bowler’s head, signalling control.

Rain interrupted the flow, but not Bangladesh’s momentum.

After nearly four hours off the field, both batters resumed without hesitation, reaching their half-centuries in measured fashion.

Abbas remained Pakistan’s most consistent threat, extracting subtle movement from an otherwise docile surface, but breakthroughs were scarce.

Shan Masood’s delayed introduction of Noman Ali -- held back for 35 overs due to the presence of two left-handers -- offered brief drama.

The spinner immediately found bounce and turn, drawing a sharp chance from Mominul at short leg, only for Abdullah Fazal to spill it.

He remained in the attack, troubling the outside edge repeatedly and nearly dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim (16*) with a miscued slog that just cleared long-on.

Pakistan’s best chance arrived when Shaheen Shah Afridi (1-39) found seam movement to breach Mominul’s defence, removing him with a faint outside edge.

Yet any hopes of a late collapse were quickly extinguished.

Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim closed out the final passages with assurance, denying Pakistan any further breakthrough before fading light brought an early end to proceedings.