Taufeeq Umar closed in on a second successive half-century to steady Pakistan on the second day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday.
The left-handed opener, who scored 61 in the opening Test in Chittagong, was unbeaten on 44 as Pakistan reached 1 for 87 at stumps in response to Bangladesh's first innings total of 338.
Azhar Ali was 26 not out when play was called off due to bad light.
Pakistan lost in-form Mohammad Hafeez before Umar and Azhar put on 64 runs for an unbroken second-wicket stand, with Umar hitting eight fours in his 79-ball knock so far.
Bangladesh paceman Nazmul Hossain, returning to the Test side after seven years, struck with his first delivery when he had Hafeez caught behind for only 14, a stark contrast to the opener's 143 in the last Test.
"Our target is to just go in there and carry on this partnership as long as we can. Our plan is to bat long," Azhar said.
"It was difficult to play spinners because the ball was turning a bit. But tomorrow it will be a new session and I think things will be easier after we spend some time at the crease."
Bangladesh, resuming at 5 for 234 after a delayed start due to fog, put on 71 for the sixth-wicket before Shakib Al Hasan (144) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (40) were bowled off successive balls.
Shakib was run out following a mix-up with his skipper as Umar hit the stumps at the non-striker's end from mid-wicket, while Rahim was caught down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal off paceman Umar Gul as the last five wickets fell for 33 runs.
"It was great to score runs for the team. It was sad the way I got out, but it's part of cricket and it can happen to anyone. I didn't have any specific goal to reach a double-hundred or so," Shakib said.
"I just wanted to bat as long as possible. Now our target is to get them out as soon as possible and the first session tomorrow is very important."
Left-handed Shakib and Rahim batted comfortably against Pakistan's pace-spin combination, adding 82 runs for the sixth wicket.
Fast bowlers Gul and Aizaz Cheema each took three wickets, while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal finished with 2 for 64.
Former captain Shakib, 108 overnight, cracked 15 fours in a superb 242-ball knock for his highest score in any form of international cricket, while Rahim hit one six and six fours in his 102-ball innings.
Shahadat Hossain, dropped on 5 by Abdur Rehman at deep mid-wicket off Ajmal, remained unbeaten on 21 with the help of one six and two fours.
Pakistan went wicketless in the morning session despite taking the second new ball immediately as it became available
Pakistan leads 1-0 in the series after winning the opening Test by an innings and 184 runs.
AFP
Tags: cricket, sport, bangladesh, pakistan First posted December 19, 2011 07:32:20
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