DHAKA, May 12, 2026 (BSS)- Debutant Abdullah Fazal struck a half-century as Pakistan reached 116-3 at tea on the final day of the opening Test against Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today, needing another 152 runs for victory.

Fazal was batting on 66 at the break alongside Salman Agha on 21 after the pair repaired the innings following a middle-order wobble that briefly swung momentum Bangladesh's way.

Bangladesh made the ideal start when pacer Taskin Ahmed removed Imam-ul-Haq early in the session. Fazal then combined with fellow debutant Azan Awais in a 54-run stand for the second wicket to steady Pakistan's chase.

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided the breakthrough with a clever arm-ball that dismissed Azan for 15. Azan had earlier marked his debut with a century in the first innings.

Speedster Nahid Rana further boosted Bangladesh's hopes by removing Pakistan captain Shan Masood for just 2, reducing the visitors to 68-3.

However, Fazal continued to bat with assurance and together with Salman, safely negotiated the remaining overs before tea to keep Pakistan in a favourable position.

Earlier, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto struck a fluent 87 as Bangladesh set Pakistan a target of 268 runs for a victory.

Resuming the Day 5 on 152-3 and with an overall lead of 179, Bangladesh declared their second innings on 240-9, leaving themselves at least 76 overs to force a result.

As it was expected, Bangladesh adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, with Shanto leading the charge after the early loss of Mushfiqur Rahim, who holed out a delivery of Hasan Ali to be caught at mid-off for 22.

Shanto, who had scored a century in the first innings, hit seven boundaries in his 87 before being trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Noman Ali.

Noman, who finished with 3-76, continued to trouble Bangladesh's middle and lower order despite their counterattacking approach.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz added a brisk 24 off 27 balls to push the lead beyond 250, while Taskin chipped in with a quickfire 11 off five deliveries.

Hasan Ali ended with 3-52 after removing Taskin, caught by Imam-ul-Haq, shortly before Bangladesh declared.

Earlier, Bangladesh had posted 413 in their first innings and secured a 27-run lead after bowling Pakistan out for 386, with Mehidy claiming a five-wicket haul.