CHITTAGONG (AFP) – In their first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Monday, Pakistan scored 109-0 in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day, chasing a goal of 202.
After bowling out the hosts for 157 earlier in the day, both openers Abid Ali (56) and Abdullah Shafique (53) completed their fiftys as the visitors drew within 93 runs of victory.
Bangladesh appeared doomed after losing Mushfiqur Rahim in the opening over of the day, but Liton, who had a century in the previous innings, brought the hosts back into contention with 59 off 89 balls.
Afridi caught Liton leg-before and then bowled Abu Jaye for a duck to clinch his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket, before off-spinner Sajid Khan ended with 3-33 and dismissed Taijul Islam.
Mushfiqur Ali scored a boundary off the opening ball of the morning, delivered by Hasan Ali, to give the hosts a good start. However, two balls later, he misread the delivery and was out for 16 when Hasan struck off-stump.
To avoid a further collapse, Das teamed up with overnight batter Yasir Ali.
Just when they appeared to be on the rise, Afridi’s low bounce collided with Yasir’s helmet, forcing him to depart injured after 36 minutes. Liton was given out on 26 after being caught at short leg off Sajid Khan.
The ball merely struck his pad and was travelling down his leg, according to the replay.
Sajid was rewarded for his perseverance as he leg-before Mehidy Hasan for 11 points.
Substitute After Mehidy’s ejection, Nurul Hasan took over as Yasir’s replacement and just avoided a strong caught-behind appeal right before lunch.
After the interval, Nurul was out for 15 when he heaved one to Faheem Ashraf at long-on off Sajid, and Pakistan claimed the other wickets quickly.
Bangladesh has never beaten Pakistan in any of their previous ten meetings.
