‘I think we’ll bowl them out’

Bangladesh pace bowling coach Shaun Tait expressed confidence that the hosts will finish the job on the final day of the Sylhet Test after reducing Pakistan to 316 for seven in pursuit of a daunting 437-run target.

The hosts need just three more wickets to complete what would be their second consecutive Test series whitewash over Pakistan following their historic 2-0 triumph away from home in 2024.

“I think we’ll bowl them out. I think we’ll bowl them out. I hope,” Tait said with a smile after the end of day four.

The former Australian fast bowler praised his side for staying patient despite Pakistan fighting hard through crucial partnerships led by Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha.

“It was a pretty good day in the end for cricket. It was some good cricket played on both sides. They batted really well — the wicket was a pretty good day for batting,” Tait noted.

“But our guys stayed in the fight, stayed in the contest. They got on top of us for a period of time but to take those two wickets towards the end — we went into the changing rooms fairly happy.”

Tait also enjoyed the intensity and emotion of the contest, particularly during Rizwan’s gritty unbeaten innings and a few heated exchanges involving Litton Kumar Das.

“I enjoy it. I’m Australian — so yeah, that probably says a lot. I love it. There’s got to be some argy-bargy,” he stated.

“You don’t want to cross the line, but you have to have a bit of aggression. It’s Test cricket — Pakistan v Bangladesh. For the fans, you want to see passion in the game.”