Pakistan star issues big challenge to Bangladesh in Mirpur
Salman Agha is hoping the final day of the first Test will turn into an exciting run chase for Pakistan.
Pakistan all-rounder Salman Agha has issued a challenge to Bangladesh with one day remaining in the crucial first Test between the two sides in Mirpur.
Bangladesh enter the final day with a lead of 179 runs and seven wickets in hand in their second innings and Salman wants to see Bangladesh set his side a victory target to chase.
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Salman believes his team is still in with a strong chance of securing victory in the ICC World Test Championship contest and wants Bangladesh to be brave with their decision making on the final day.
"Right now you can't say who has the upper hand in this game. And Tomorrow will be an exciting day of Test cricket. We just want to get them out as quickly as we can. That's what our strategy is going to be. I don't know about the rest," Salman said after a rain interrupted day on Monday.
"Definitely, we will go for the win. If they are brave enough to do that - give us 70 overs and 260 - we will definitely go for the chase. But I don't think they will do that."
With the race to appear at next year's World Test Championship Final set to resume on Friday, we look at how each team is placed on the path to the ultimate Test at Lord's 👀
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Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto holds the key to any final day chase for Pakistan, with the veteran still at the crease and unbeaten on 58 following his superb quickfire century in the first innings that helped the hosts post 413.
Mushfiqur Rahim (16*) is also unbeaten at the crease heading into the final day, with Salman hoping the duo will go on the attack during the first session and set his side a victory target in the vicinity of 260.
"For that, they have to score 100-odd in 20 overs. If they want to do that, that's brilliant. But it's going to be very risky. Personally, I want them to do that. I want them to give us like 60-70 overs and a score of 260 to chase. But somehow, I think they won't," he added.
"If they give us two sessions and something like 250-odd, we will definitely go for the chase first, and then we'll see how the pitch is playing. But as of now, we want to win this game."
Series schedule:
First Test: May 8-12, Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
Second Test: May 16-20, Sylhet International Cricket Stadium