Agha says Pakistan will easily chase down hosts’ total in case they don’t exceed 260 in final-day Test

DHAKA: Pakistan cricket team batter Salman Ali Agha has said that Pakistan team will confidently chase down the hosts team total in case Bangladesh are restricted to 260 runs in 70 overs on the final day of the Test match.

“The national team will definitely go for victory,” the batter said.

By the end of play on the fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan, Bangladesh were 152 for 3 in their second innings, leading Pakistan by 179 runs overall.

Speaking at the post-match press conference in Dhaka after the fourth day, Salman Ali Agha said that at this stage it is difficult to say which team has the upper hand, and the final day of the match will be very interesting. He added that Pakistan will try to bowl Bangladesh out as early as possible, and that this is their strategy.

He said that if Bangladesh show courage and set a target of 260 runs in 70 overs, Pakistan will certainly go for victory, although he does not think they will do so. He added that ideally he would like Bangladesh to set a target of around 260 in 60–70 overs, but that does not seem likely. If a target of 300 is set in 30–40 overs on the fifth day, it becomes very difficult.

Salman Ali Agha said that Pakistan played very well on the second day, taking wickets quickly and batting well, while the first day did not go in their favour and the third day was mixed.

He added that in Test cricket, the priority is always to win. Pakistan want to dismiss Bangladesh as quickly as possible, and only Bangladesh can explain their own plans.

He also said that with the introduction of the World Test Championship, teams now play to win matches, and pitches are prepared in a way that produces results. Ten to fifteen years ago, pitches were different and many Tests ended in draws.