Shakib Al Hasan cracked a career-best 108 not out and Shahriar Nafees hit a solid 97 to lead Bangladesh’s recovery on the opening day of the second and final Test against Pakistan in Dhaka on Saturday. Bangladesh were struggling at 43-4 following paceman Aizaz Cheema’s three-wicket burst in the morning before reaching 234-5 in their first innings at stumps, thanks to Shakib and Nafees.
The left-handed pair applied themselves remarkably well to deny Pakistan any success for 51 overs as they added 180 runs, Bangladesh’s highest stand for the fifth wicket in Tests. Nafees looked set to complete his second Test century before falling in the last session, caught behind off his gloves off paceman Umar Gul after hitting 12 fours in his 177-ball knock. “I knew the Pakistani bowlers would give me bouncers, so I was prepared for it but unfortunately I could not remove my hand in time. This knock was something I could learn from,” said Nafees. “Our partnership was very essential for the team, especially at a time when we had four wickets down quickly. Now we are in a bit of a comfortable position, but still we have miles to go.” Former captain Shakib moved from 89 to 100 in one over off Gul and completed his second Test hundred when he cut the paceman for a single. His previous best was 100 against New Zealand in Hamilton last year. Shakib has so far hit 14 fours, including three in an over off Cheema, in his 168-ball knock.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on five when bad light stopped play. Nafees, who swept and pulled off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez for two fours in an over, reached his seventh Test half-century when he fluently drove Gul through the covers for a boundary. Bangladesh were in deep trouble in the morning as Cheema grabbed three wickets in a sharp eight-over opening spell after the tourists won the toss and elected to field. “I just tried to maintain a good line and length and put the ball in right area,” said Cheema.
