DHAKA: Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema took two wickets each to boost Pakistan’s chances of winning the second and final Test against Bangladesh despite Shakibal Hasan’s superb all-round display.
The hosts were struggling at 114 for five in their second-innings on the penultimate day after conceding a lead of 132, with paceman Gul bagging two wickets off successive balls and Cheema finishing the day with two for 41.
Nasir Hossain was unbeaten on 30 with Mushfiqur Rahim on seven not out.
Hafeez ‘all praise’ for Shakib
Meanwhile, Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was full of praise for Shakib but remained hopeful of the tourists sweeping the Test series.
Shakib followed up his career-best knock of 144 in Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 338 with six for 82 as Pakistan were bowled out but not before racking up 470.
“It was a great performance by Shakib,” said Hafeez. “He batted and bowled well. I really praise him as an all-rounder and he’s doing a great job for Bangladesh. At the moment we’re in a dominating position. We’ll try to get the remaining wickets as soon as possible and are hopeful of winning the Test.”
Earlier, Gul dismissed free-scoring Tamim Iqbal (21) and Shahriar Nafees with his last two balls before the tea break. Tamim, who hit Cheema for three fours in an over, looked surprised when adjudged caught by captain Misbahul Haq at first slip while attempting to hook Gul, as TV replays suggested the ball had come off the helmet.
Shakib leads the Bangladesh attack
The left-arm spinner took five of the seven Pakistan wickets to fall in the day to complete his ninth haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.
Misbah earlier made an impressive 70 and Adnan Akmal hit 53 for his maiden Test half-century as Pakistan batted steadily in the opening two sessions after resuming at 292 for three. Younus Khan (49), Asad Shafiq (42) and Abdur Rehman (24) were the other main scorers.
Fielding lets the hosts down again
Bangladesh’s fielding remained below par as they let off Misbah and Shafiq in the opening session and Akmal in the second after having dropped three catches on Monday.
“Dropping catches is an area of concern for us after the bowlers do well and create opportunities,” said Bangladesh coach Stuart Law. “Just before tea, we lost two wickets in two balls in decisions we felt were quite questionable.
“We are now 18 runs behind and if we can bat two and a half sessions, I believe we can save the match.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2011.
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