logo

Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique give Pakistan a solid platform against Bangladesh

 

CHITTAGONG: Pakistan got a solid platform from an uninterrupted opening century booth from Abid Ali and debutant Abdullah Shafique after the Men In Green won Bangladesh for 330 on the second day of the first Test in Chittagong on Saturday.

Ali joined his fourth Test century to remain unbeaten on 93 while Shafique hit on 52 when Pakistan reached 145-0 on stumps, 185 shy of Bangladesh's first innings total. "In the afternoon it started to spin a bit. The ball was old. So it was gripping and did a few other tricks. Our plan was that we had to stay on the wicket and use the bad balls," said Ali afterwards Gameday.

Pace bowler Hasan Ali earlier led Pakistan with the ball, finishing with 5-51, his sixth five-wicket to keep Bangladesh in check after the hosts resumed at 253-4 that morning. Liton Das scored the highest score for Bangladesh with 114, adding just one run to his night standings, while Mushfiqur Rahim, unbeaten with 82 at the end of day one, fell with 91 runs.

Mehidy Hasan hit an unbeaten 38 to put Bangladesh over 300 before claiming two wickets in two balls to put an end to Bangladesh's racket efforts. "When we lost four wickets before lunch, everyone thought we would be kicked out early. Mushfiqur and I have built a good partnership," said Liton.

"At the end of the day we were thinking of a large sum. But cricket is unpredictable. Pakistan is in a good position now. If we can do two or three wickets tomorrow morning, we'll be on par again." Pakistan had Bangladesh on the ropes 49-4 on the first day, but the hosts fought back thanks to Liton and Mushfiqur.

Read Here | Azhar Ali approaches an unwanted record with yet another duck

Pakistan looked sharp right at the start of the second game day when Hasan trapped Liton in the second half of the morning. Hit on the hindfoot, Liton was not initially surrendered, but Pakistan successfully reviewed the decision.

Liton, who shared 206 runs with Mushfiqur in the fifth wicket, hit 11 fours and a six in his 233-ball innings. Hasan then fired Yasir Ali for four with a fine in-swinger who rattled the debutant's leg and middle stump. Faheem took a thin edge off Mushfiqur's bat, putting an end to Bangladesh's big chance.

Mushfiqur hit 11 fours in his 225-ball sojourn at the archway.