Bangladesh-Pakistan series
Pakistan on the verge of winning first Test
|| CF DESK ||
Pakistan openers Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique combined an unbroken century stand as the visitors are 93 runs behind to seal the first Test match against Bangladesh.
The openers gave Pakistan another sound start, as the visitors were set a 202-run target to win the Chattogram Test.
Abid and Shafique both hit half-centuries to power Pakistan to score 109 without the loss of any wickets at stumps. Meanwhile, Bangladesh bowlers remained wicketless throughout the day.
Abid hit 56 off 105 with six 4's and debutant Shafique was unbeaten on 53 from 93 deliveries hitting six boundaries and a six.
Earlier, Pakistan had bowled out Bangladesh for 157 runs in the second innings with Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbing a five-wicket haul (5 for 32), his fourth five-wicket haul.
Liton Das' fine innings 59 off 89 balls, ended after he missed the inswinger from Afridi, and got trapped in front. Liton had no choice but to opt for a review, but the ball was hitting the leg stump.
Sajid Khan picked up three wickets and Hasan Ali took two for the visitors, including the crucial wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim in the first over of the day.
The debutant Yasir (32 off 72), was in excellent form and added 47 runs with last innings centurion Liton before he was struck on the helmet by a bouncer by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Then Nurul came in as a concussion substitute.
Resuming on 39-4, Hasan Ali started off the day with the wicket of Mushfiqur in the very first over of the session. Mushfiqur (16) was bowled, hitting the top of the off-stump.
Bangladesh had a difficult evening on Day 3, taking a 44-run lead over Pakistan. Afridi bowled a peach of a spell on the third evening, reducing Bangladesh to 25 for 4.
Earlier, Pakistan were bundled out for 286 in reply to Bangladesh's first innings score of 330.