DHAKA, Bangladesh — Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque hit resolute half-centuries as Bangladesh reached 152-3 on rain-hit Day 4 of the first cricket test against Pakistan on Monday.Bangladesh’s lead grew to 179 runs, keeping it on course to push for a result on the final day after bad light forced an early end to play with Shanto unbeaten on 58 and Mushfiqur Rahim on 16.Shanto, who struck a fluent century in the first innings, put on a 105-run partnership with Mominul for the third wicket to keep Bangladesh on the front foot after the host slumped to 23-2 in the morning session.Mominul followed his 91 with 56 in the second innings, extending his rich form with five half-centuries in a row.Play was stopped for more than three hours because of rain. After resuming at seven for no loss, Bangladesh received an early blow when Mahmudul Hasan was trapped leg-before-wicket by pacer Mohammad Abbas for five.Pacer Hasan Ali dismissed Shadman Islam for 10, with Saud Shakeel taking a catch at gully after the batter was surprised by the extra bounce.In a repeat of their first innings rearguard, Mominul and Shanto showed resolve to frustrate Pakistan’s attack, keeping Bangladesh on course to set a challenging final innings target for the visitors.They also came together in the first innings to share 170 runs when Bangladesh was struggling at 31-2.Popular ReadsMominul survived two chances before edging …
