Cricket News By TODAYLIVESCORE.INFO - Pakistan drive home advantage with an unbroken opening stand. Pakistan are 145/0 at the end of Day 2
Pakistan are 145/0 at the end of Day 2
Abid Ali and debutant Abdullah Shafique batted out almost two sessions to put Pakistan ahead in the game after Bangladesh were bowled out for 330 on Day 2 on Saturday (November 27).
Liton Das couldn't add much to his overnight score as Hasan Ali accounted for him. The bowler struck again to remove Yasir Ali and Bangladesh were six down early. The body blow though was delivered by Faheen Ashraf who nicked off Mushfiqur Rahim, who in turn fell tantalizingly short of his ton by 9 runs.
The tail did wag a little for Bangladesh after the departure of Rahim as Mehidy Hasan tried to hold fort from one end but the allrounder was left stranded on 38. Hasan Ali was the go-to man and he came back and picked up the last two wickets. His fifer had handed the advantage to Pakistan as Bangladesh had started the day at 253 for 4 and could add only 77 as the remaining wickets fell pretty cheaply.
Pakistan openers then went into a defiant mode and ensured Bangladesh never had a sniff at picking up a wicket. Debutant Abdullah Shafique was put under some pressure and survived a loud LBW appeal. Bangladesh didn't opt for the review and were left to rue the only chance that they created. Not even half chances were created after that as the openers dealt with spin and seam in a similar adept manner.
Bangladesh pacers had started off with the new ball but hardly created an impression. Taijul did produce that occasional good ball and kept it tight but Pakistan openers had everything under control. Mehidy didn't create enough pressure as the runs came at a decent pace.
Abid Ali, on the other hand, continued accumulating runs at his own pace and was only seven short of a ton by the end of the day. Abdullah also shed his inhibitions as the innings went along and got to his maiden Test fifty with a six.
Bangladesh could be on a leather hunt on Day 3 if they don't pick up early wickets as this Pakistan line up promises skills as well as depth. The wicket is still true and should be good for run-making on the third day too.
Brief Scores: Bangladesh 330 all out (Liton Das 114, M Rahim 91; Hasan Ali 5-51) trail Pakistan 145 for no loss (Abid Ali 93*, Abdullah Shafique 52*) by 185 runs
