Day 3 could have been Bangladesh Men's Cricket Team's best day in 2021 if they hadn't lost four wickets in the last session. However, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam rose to the occasion and took 7 Pakistan wickets in the first innings, delighting Bangladesh cricket fans. Pakistan were knocked out for 286 runs in their first innings thanks to his outstanding bowling effort. Bangladesh gained a 44-run lead in the first innings. Let's look at the likely outcomes of the BAN vs PAK 1st Test 2021.
The Match Scenario of BAN vs PAK 1st Test 2021
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam gave Bangladesh the much-needed breakthrough in the opening session of day three. He struck twice in the over, in the fifth and sixth balls respectively. Pakistan suddenly found themselves at 146/2 after a brilliant performance by the openers on day 2. Pakistan lost two more wickets before lunch, leaving them with 203 runs for the loss of four wickets.
Taijul Islam wreaked havoc on Pakistan's batters after the lunch break, picking up four more wickets in the mid-session. Pakistan's innings came to an end just before Tea, leaving them 44 runs shy of Bangladesh's first-inning total (330). Taijul Islam took 7 wickets for 116 runs in 44.4 overs. The lone centurion Abid Ali scored 133 runs.
Read New Zealand trails India by 280 runs after day 4 of 1st test
Bangladesh's openers had shown some promise when they came into bat in the second innings, but Afridi's accuracy finally rocked the top order. On the other hand, Hasan Ali removed the skipper Mominul Haque, Bangladesh finished day three with a score of 39/4. At the end of the day's play, Mushfiqur Rahim (12*) and Yasir Ali (8*) were still undefeated.
The match's potential outcomes
Bangladesh failed to defend 394 runs earlier this year against the West Indies on this very ground. As this result indicates, the batting may become easier during the final two days. However, this type of record-breaking pursuit is rarely observed. Batting on the final two days is always difficult on any surface in the world.
Bangladesh batters should aim for a 250-run lead in the third innings in order to put pressure on Pakistan's batters. Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali, and Liton Das will all have to bat for at least two full sessions on day four to achieve this. Bangladesh have a good chance of upsetting Pakistan in this match if they can do that.
Read T10 Cricket on Nov 30 marking World Peace Conference
On the other hand, Pakistan will seek to finish Bangladesh innings in the opening session of Day 4, and they have a good chance of doing so. If Pakistan can keep Bangladesh to under 150 runs, they would be in a strong position to win the match on day 4.
However, the possibility of the match ending in a draw is fairly slim. Bangladesh will have to bat until the last session of the day and the Pakistani team will thereafter bat defensively.
Bottom Line
Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have a fair chance in the first Test. Bangladesh team has made a tremendous comeback in the match because of spinner Taijul Islam's outstanding bowling effort. He will be a key player for the host in Pakistan's second innings. However, batters must deliver in the second innings before Taijul can work his magic with the ball. They must bat deep to put a competitive total on the board so that bowlers can feel confident in their ability to bowl against Pakistan batters. There could be a lot of twists and turns on the fourth day of the match. The team with the most patience stands a higher chance of winning the BAN vs PAK 1st Test 2021.
Read Chattogram Test: Shaheen puts pressure back on Bangladesh