Rain delays start on final day as Bangladesh close in on historic sweep

Heavy rain lashed Sylhet from midnight and continued intermittently until this morning, slightly delaying the start of the fifth and final day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan today.

Following an inspection of the field, the umpires announced that play would resume at 10:15am.

There is little left to decide in the Sylhet Test, with Bangladesh requiring just three more wickets to complete another series sweep over Pakistan. The visitors, meanwhile, still need an unlikely 121 runs to secure victory.

With Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 75, Pakistan still retain a slim hope.

Although rain fell during Wednesday morning, the forecast suggests there is little chance of further showers for the rest of the day, despite overcast skies remaining in Sylhet.

A victory would see Bangladesh register four consecutive Test wins against the same opponent for the first time in their history. Their previous best was three straight Test victories against Zimbabwe. Winning four consecutive matches against Pakistan — two in Rawalpindi and two at home — would mark a new milestone for the Tigers.

The win would also lift Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side to fifth place in the ICC World Test Championship standings. While much of the championship still remains, Bangladesh would move above both India national cricket team and England cricket team for the time being.

Bangladesh edged closer to history on Tuesday after pushing Pakistan deep into the fifth day. The hosts appeared set to wrap up the match earlier, but Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha frustrated them with a resilient 134-run partnership in the final session.

The breakthrough eventually came in the last half hour when Taijul Islam struck twice after bowling more than a third of the overs during the day, leaving Bangladesh on the verge of another 2-0 clean sweep over Pakistan.