Pakistan 445 (Azam 143, Masood 100, Sohail 75, Shafiq 65, Abu Jayed 3-86, Rubel 3-113) beat Bangladesh 233 (Mithun 63, Shanto 44, Afridi 4-53, Sohail 2-11) and 168 (Mominul 41, Shanto 38, Naseem 4-26, Yasir 4-58) by an innings and 44 runs
Pakistan wrapped up a win and added 60 points to their World Test Championship tally in the morning session of the fourth day.
Bangladesh were rocked by a Naseem Shah hat-trick on Sunday evening that left them 126 for 6 at stumps. In the very first over of the day, that collapse of 4 for 2 turned into 5 for 6, as Shaheen Afridi swung a full one in at Mominul Haque to trap him in front of middle and off on the flick shot. Mominul's review showed a bat-pad situation that couldn't be conclusively overturned and he became one of five wickets across this Test that fell within the first two overs on a day.
With little to lose, the other overnight batsman, Liton Das, dug in and looked elegant as ever as he attempted to forge a long alliance with No. 9 Rubel Hossain. For the most part, the eighth-wicket pair looked solid as they batted close to 12 overs. Rubel survived an lbw decision by umpire Nigel Llong as the review found a big inside edge on his attempted forward block against Mohammad Abbas. But it was Abbas who trapped him, in similar fashion, shortly after.
Llong had another lbw decision overturned, this time as Liton was struck in front looking to sweep a full ball. This was much like his dismissal in the first innings, when he tried sweeping part-time spinner Haris Sohail and was given out on a review that confirmed the ball had pitched in line. The bowler was Yasir Shah on this occasion, who then got Abu Jayed to top edge a slog sweep to bring the innings to a close. Yasir finished with four wickets - a much-needed confidence booster following a dry patch of form - just like the other Shah, Naseem, who didn't take the field after feeling pain on the left side of his rib cage shortly after he had taken his hat-trick.
Pakistan's next Test is in April, and will be the second and final one of this staggered series against Bangladesh. At the very least, that means Naseem will have recovery time. They currently sit fourth on the WTC table with 140 points.
