Duo lead Bangladesh recovery effort

Bangladesh

A 180-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Shahriar Nafees and Shakib Al Hasan gave Bangladesh a respectable score at the close of day one in the second Test against Pakistan.

A 180-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Shahriar Nafees and Shakib Al Hasan gave Bangladesh a respectable score at the close of day one in the second Test against Pakistan.

Bangladesh had been heading towards another disaster after Aizaz Cheema reduced them to 43 for four, but the partnership allowed the hosts to close on a respectable 234 for five from just 68 overs.

Cheema had picked up three wickets as Bangladesh endured a difficult morning after heavy fog delayed the start of the match and Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq eventually won the toss and put the home side in to bat.

The visitors named an unchanged side following the innings and 184-run victory in Chittagong, while Bangladesh again dropped Mohammad Ashraful from their side. Injury also kept Rubel Hossain out of the team, meaning Robiul Islam and Nazmul Hossain were drafted into the starting XI.

The Tigers did not start well as Nazimuddin was out lbw to Cheema in the second over before the home side had even got off the mark. Tamim Iqbal (14) followed shortly thereafter when he was caught at fine leg by Cheema off the bowling of Umar Gul while going on the hook.

It was 33 for three when vice-captain Mahmudullah was clean bowled by Cheema for a first-ball duck, and the caught behind dismissal of Nasir Hossain rocked the Tigers to 43 for four.

However Nafees had been solid throughout and finally found support in the form of Shakib, allowing the duo to go through the second session without losing a wicket – the first time in the series that Bangladesh had managed the feat.

Shakib was the more aggressive of the two batsmen and reached his century in just 159 balls, before finishing the day unbeaten on 108.

However Nafees was left heartbroken when he was caught behind off the bowling of Umar Gul just before the close of play, falling three runs short of what would have been his second Test century.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim was five not out when bad light ended the day prematurely.

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