Hafeez century gives Pakistan command of Khulna Test

KARACHI: Muhammad Hafeez continued his prolific run in the longest format as Pakistan gained complete control of the Khulna Test, registering his third hundred in his last four Test matches in more proof of his comfort with the red ball on the batting-friendly Asian pitches.

By the end of play, the opener had scored 137 runs with consummate ease as the Bangladesh bowlers toiled hard on a placid pitch. Hafeez, who scored centuries in the Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Tests against New Zealand last season, once again looked at home in conditions that suit his style of play.

His attacking approach was refreshing from a Pakistan point of view as the 34-year old raced to his eighth century in the longest format off a mere 123 balls.

Azhar Ali, the beleaguered ODI captain, anchored the innings from his end. The right-hander was the perfect foil for the adventurous Hafeez, ending the day at 65 accumulated off 136 balls.

The only dampner in an otherwise perfect day for Pakistan was the contentious dismissal of debutant Sami Aslam, who was given out caught down the leg-side off Taijul Islam.

The Decision Review System (DRS) mechanism for this series looks pretty average sans the Snicko and Hot Spot, and the third umpire Paul Reiffel ruled Aslam out without the conclusive evidence of a deviation from either the glove or the bat.

Pakistan must cash in and capitalise fully on the platform provided by Hafeez and Azhar. The pitch should suit the batsmen on day three too, and if the middle-order succeeds and buckles down to the task, they can take the score past the 500 mark.

The Test is in Pakistan’s grip and from here on, the hosts would need a monumental effort to claw back.

Meanwhile, Misbahul Haq must be pleased by the efforts of his bowlers, and more importantly fielders, who held the chances that came their way as the hosts were dismissed for at best a par score of 332.

Pakistan were lucky to nail Shakib alHasan early on day two as the batsman fell to a poor shot, and debutant Soumya Sarkar looked the part in Test cricket too before gifting his wicket once again to a poor shot.

Captain Mushfiqur Rahim played an atrocious cut shot and his demise meant an expected quick end to the innings, with the tail lacking the capability of surviving for long against the pace of Wahab Riaz and the guiles of Yasir Shah.

Yasir, who had an indifferent first day, bounced back to gather three scalps in the innings, while Wahab bowled with sustained hostility in 26 economical overs that earned him three wickets.

Hafeez also made a vital contribution with the ball with two scalps in his 18-over spell that spurred him on to his superb hundred.

 
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