The pendulum swung pretty swiftly but the Chattogram Test continued to stay in the balance as both Bangladesh and Pakistan fought for some kind of ascendancy. Bangladesh had the upper hand after taking a 44-run first-innings lead but were reduced to 39 for 4 at stumps on day three by Shaheen Afridi. The pacer bagged three wickets and ensured Bangladesh's lead was just 83 heading into the fourth day.
Taijul Islam was the star of the day as his 7 for 116 shot down Pakistan for 286 after they started the day on 145 for no loss. In the 19 overs that followed post that, Pakistan ensured they were able to neutralise any advantage the hosts had. After a positive start, Shadman Islam was dismissed lbw by Afridi in the fifth over. Najmul Hossain Shanto bagged a two-ball duck to give Pakistan just the start they were hoping for. Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque too failed to open his account and fell to Hasan Ali as Bangladesh were left reeling at 15 for 3.
Afridi dented Bangladesh even further when he had Saif Hassan caught and bowled for 18 off 32 as the hosts slipped to 25 for 4. Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Ali played out 53 deliveries during their unbeaten stand of 14 to keep Bangladesh in the game and the hosts will hope they are able to stage a comeback like the first innings.
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Pakistan, however, will be disappointed with the way the batting unit performed on the day. Abid Ali scored a century - his fourth in Tests - but the visitors lost 6 for 83 in the second session to concede a lead. Taijul set the tone early in the day when he dismissed Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali on consecutive deliveries in the opening over of the day. Babar Azam played out the hat-trick delivery and was involved in a short partnership with Ali as the visitors looked to steady things. Ali held one end up but lost both Babar and Fawad Alam from the other end to go into the lunch break at 203 for 4.
It was Ebadot Hossain who started the procession in the second session with the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan. However, the crucial blows were once again landed by Taijul. In the 94th over, the left-arm spinner trapped Ali in front after the opener had scored 133 off 282. At 217 for 6, Pakistan were in danger of conceding an even bigger lead and things went from bad to worse as Taijul completed his five-wicket haul with the scalp of Hasan Ali. Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali too couldn't rally around Faheem Ashraf as the visitors were reduced to 257 for 9. Ashraf and Shaheen Afridi did well to frustrate Bangladesh and reduce the deficit during the 72-ball stay where they scored 29.
