KHULNA (BANGLADESH), April 29 (AFP): Opener Mohammad Hafeez hit an unbeaten century as Pakistan reached 227 for one in reply to Bangladesh�s 332 at stumps on the second day of the first Test in Khulna today.
The tourists finally enjoyed a successful day on an otherwise miserable tour, where they were whitewashed 3-0 in the one-day series and lost to Bangladesh for the first time in a Twenty20 international
Hafeez made 137 not out, his eighth Test hundred and the third in his last four innings, after Pakistan had ended Bangladesh�s hopes of posting a mammoth first innings total. Hafeez has so far hit 12 fours and two sixes after surviving a narrow escape in the fourth over of the innings when TV umpire Paul Reiffel overturned a decision for a catch at the wicket off Taijul Islam.
Hafeez put on 50 for the first-wicket with debutant Sami Aslam and 177 in an unbroken partnership with Azhar Ali, as the batsmen prospered in good batting conditions at the Sheikh Abu Naser stadium.
Left-handed Aslam, who captained Pakistan�s under-19 team before making the grade at senior level, was caught down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Taijul. Azhar survived two dropped catches by Rahim to remain unbeaten at stumps on 65, reaching his half-century with a six off Shakib Al Hasan. The hosts suffered a blow when Rahim was forced to leave the field after tea with a bruised finger, leaving Imrul Kayes to don the gloves as Tamim Iqbal took over the captaincy.
Bangladesh, who resumed at the overnight score of 236 for four, were dismissed for 332 soon after lunch.
Left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz and leg-spinner Yasir Shah claimed three wickets each, while Hafeez and Zulfiqar Babar took two each. Yasir grabbed two of the four wickets that fell in the morning session as Bangladesh faltered against steady spin bowling by the Pakistanis.
SCORECARD
Bangladesh 1st innings (overnight 236-4): Tamim Iqbal c Azhar b Yasir 25, Imrul Kayes c and b Hafeez 51, Mominul Haque lbw b Zulfiqar 80, Mohammad Mahmudullah c Sarfraz b Wahab 49, Shakib Al Hasan c Asad b Zulfiqar 25, Mushfiqur Rahim c Misbah b Yasir 32, Soumya Sarkar c Asad b Hafeez 33, Shuvagata Hom not out 12, Taijul Islam b Yasir 1, Mohammad Shahid c Misbah b Wahab 10, Rubel Hossain c Sarfraz b Wahab 2. Extras: (lb5, nb7) 12. Total: (all out, 120 overs) 332. Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-92, 3-187, 4-236, 5-243, 6-305, 7-310, 8-312, 9-329, 10-332. Bowling: Junaid 16-2-40-0, Wahab 26-7-55-3, Hafeez 18-5-47-2, Zulfiqar 32-3-99-2, Yasir 28-4-86-3.
Pakistan 1st innings: Mohammad Hafeez not out 137, Sami Aslam c Rahim b Taijul 20, Azhar Ali not out 65. Extras: (lb2, nb3) 5. Total: (for one wicket, 58 overs) 227. Fall of wicket: 1-50. Bowling: Rubel 11-0-50-0, Shahid 7-0-29-0, Taijul 16-2-43-1, Shuvagata 8-0-34-0, Shakib 12-0-57-0, Mahmudullah 2-0-9-0, Sarkar 1-0-2-0, Mominul 1-0-1-0.
