Pakistan faced the prospect of a second consecutive Test series whitewash against Bangladesh after ending the fourth day of the Sylhet Test at 316 runs for seven wickets in pursuit of a daunting 437-run target.

Needing another 121 runs for victory on the final day, Pakistan have only three wickets remaining, while Bangladesh are closing in on a historic series sweep on home soil.

Pakistan’s chase began poorly as openers Azan Owais and Abdullah Fazal failed to provide a solid start. Fazal was dismissed by Naheed Rana for six with the score at 27 runs, while Azan Owais fell lbw to Mehidy Hasan Miraz after scoring 21 runs, leaving Pakistan at 41 runs for two.

Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam steadied the innings with a partnership that carried the total to 133 runs before Babar was dismissed by Taijul Islam for 47 runs off 52 balls.

Vice-captain Saud Shakeel managed only six runs before departing at 154 runs, and Shan Masood followed soon after for 71 runs as Taijul struck again to reduce Pakistan to 162 runs for five wickets.

With the threat of a whitewash looming, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan mounted a recovery through a 134-run sixth-wicket partnership that lifted Pakistan to 296 runs. Salman was eventually bowled by Taijul Islam after making 71 runs, while Hasan Ali was dismissed without scoring.

At stumps, Rizwan remained unbeaten on 75 runs with Sajid Khan on eight.

For Bangladesh, Taijul Islam claimed four wickets, while Naheed Rana took two and Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up one.

Earlier, Bangladesh posted 278 runs in their first innings, powered by a century from wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das. Khurram Shahzad was Pakistan’s leading bowler with four wickets, while Mohammad Abbas took three and Hasan Ali claimed two.

Pakistan replied with 232 runs in their first innings, with Babar Azam top-scoring with 68 runs. No other batter reached a half-century as Bangladesh secured a first-innings lead of 46 runs.

Naheed Rana and Taijul Islam took three wickets each for Bangladesh, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two apiece.

In their second innings, Bangladesh were bowled out for 390 after Mushfiqur Rahim scored 137 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 69, and Mahmudul Hasan Joy added 52, setting Pakistan a target of 438 runs.

Khurram Shahzad took four wickets for Pakistan, Sajid Khan claimed three, Hasan Ali took two, and Mohammad Abbas picked up one.

Bangladesh had already secured an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series after winning the opening Test in Dhaka.

If Bangladesh dismiss Pakistan before they reach the target on the final day, they will complete their first-ever Test series whitewash over Pakistan on home soil.

Bangladesh had previously whitewashed Pakistan during a two-Test series in Pakistan in 2024, while Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test of the current series ended their unbeaten record against Bangladesh in Test cricket.