Mushfiqur Rahim's magnificent 191 puts Bangladesh on top against Pakistan

Mushfiqur Rahim became only the second Bangladeshi batter to be dismissed in the 190s, following Mohammad Ashraful's 190, as Pakistan took control of the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Starting the fourth day's play at 55 not out, Mushfiqur carried Bangladesh's innings from 316 for five, responding to Pakistan's 448 for six declared. He was eventually dismissed for 191 in Bangladesh's total of 565, marking their third-highest score away from home.

By the end of the penultimate day, Pakistan, trailing by 117 runs after the first innings, had reached 23 for one in 45 minutes of batting, with Abdullah Shafique (12) and captain Shan Masood (nine) at the crease. Saim Ayub (one) was the only batter to be dismissed.

Mushfiqur, who had previously played in Bangladesh ‘A’ against Pakistan Shaheens, capitalized on a DRS reprieve when on 59 with the scoreboard showing Bangladesh at 324 for six. He was eventually caught behind off Mohammad Ali, who finished with figures of two for 88. Mushfiqur occupied the crease for eight hours and 42 minutes, facing 341 deliveries and hitting 22 fours and one six.

Mushfiqur reached his 11th Test century off 200 balls, making him the second most successful Bangladeshi batter after Mominul Haque (12).

The 37-year-old, alongside 26-year-old Mehidy Hasan Miraz, set a new record for the highest seventh-wicket partnership against Pakistan, putting on 196 runs, surpassing the previous record of 186 runs set by Warren Lees and Sir Richard Hadlee in Karachi in 1976.

Mehidy, dropped on 52 and 59, was the ninth batter dismissed after scoring 77 off 179 balls with six fours. He was bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who finished with figures of two for 88 off 30 overs, on the day he celebrated the birth of his first child.

Pakistan had a strong start on the fourth day when Naseem Shah dismissed Litton Das, leaving Bangladesh at 332 for six. Litton, who resumed on 52, added just four more runs.

However, Pakistan had to wait another 56 overs before taking their next wicket.

After Mushfiqur was dismissed as the seventh batter, Hasan Mahmud faced 18 balls without scoring before falling to Shaheen. Mehidy was next, and the innings concluded with Shoriful Islam's quickfire 22 off 14 balls, ended by Naseem.

Naseem was the most successful bowler among Pakistan's four-man pace attack, with figures of 27.3-6-93-3, while Shaheen, Mohammad Ali, and Khurram Shahzad each claimed two wickets.

Salman Ali Agha bowled 41 overs without taking a wicket but was unlucky as two catches were dropped off his bowling.

Mohammad Rizwan, who had scored 171 not out in Pakistan’s 448 for six declared, took four catches behind the stumps but also dropped Mehidy on 52.