Pakistan recover from Nazmul impact

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Shakib Al Hasan, on 108 overnight, advances towards a career-best 144 before his demise began a slide of the last five wickets costing 33

Nazmul Hossain struck with his first Test ball in seven years but Pakistan responded to finish day two of the second game against Bangladesh on 87 for one, leaving proceedings in Mirpur evenly poised.

A superb knock of 144 from Shakib Al Hasan – his best senior score – helped Bangladesh post a total of 338 and the removal of Mohammad Hafeez for 14 raised home hopes of drawing the series.

Hafeez had hit 143 as the tourists recorded an innings victory in the first Test at Chittagong, but could not cope with Nazmul, whose only previous Test was versus India in December 2004.

The right-arm seamer found a modicum of away movement from a good length, inducing a faint edge to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

However, opener Taufeeq Umar made 44, with eight fours, and Azhar Ali 26 in an unbroken stand of 64 by stumps.

Resuming on 234 for five after a fog delay of near an hour, Shakib and his captain Mushfiqur added 51 in a shortened first session to reach lunch at 285 without further loss.

Mushfiqur, who dominated the scoring, rightly survived an appeal for a catch at short-leg off Saeed Ajmal, then slog-swept the same bowler for six in his next over.

Three times Pakistan appealed confidently for lbw against Shakib, but each time he was correctly given not out.

Mushfiqur’s two dicey back-to-back fours off short Aizaz Cheema balls took Bangladesh beyond 300 before he and Shakib departed in consecutive balls.

The skipper hesitated after calling a single and Taufeeq hit the non-striker’s stumps from mid-on to remove Shakib, who began the day on 108 but only added one four to his 14 yesterday.

Umar Gul immediately had Mushfiqur caught behind for 40 as Bangladesh lost their last five wickets for 33 runs.

Elias Sunny and Shahadat Hossain survived for 11 overs, although the latter was dropped at deep midwicket by Abdur Rehman.

Ajmal’s doosra trapped Sunny in front, the first of three wickets in as many overs, as Nazmul was run out attempting a second via Rehman’s throw from long-on and Robiul Islam went in the same fashion as Sunny.

Hafeez picked up consecutive early fours to leg off Shahadat, who was replaced after two overs by Nazmul to immediate effect.

Robiul had a strong lbw shout against Azhar but that was as close as Bangladesh came to another breakthrough before bad light ended play.