Bangladesh in trouble: Pakistan claim commanding lead after Hafeez’s double-ton

Visitors end day three on 537-5, 205 runs ahead after opener’s career-best 224

KHULNA:

Muhammad Hafeez hit a career-best 224 as Pakistan took charge of the first Test against Bangladesh with an impressive batting marathon during the third day’s play in Khulna on Thursday.

The tourists batted the entire day to move from their overnight score of 227-1 to 537-5 by stumps, a lead of 205 runs over Bangladesh’s first innings total of 332.

Hafeez, who started the day on 137, surpassed his previous best of 197, made in Pakistan’s previous Test against New Zealand in Sharjah last November.

The 34-year-old all-rounder said he was relieved to overcome the poor form that had dogged him in the preceding one-day series which Pakistan lost 3-0.

“I was under pressure and I knew I had to do something to regain my confidence,” said the 41-Test veteran said. “The team needed a positive innings and I am happy that I was able to provide that. I am not sure if this was my best innings, but a double hundred is always special.”



The dominant batting display, in which Pakistan’s top seven batsmen were all involved in partnerships of above 50, left the tourists two days to force a win and take the lead in the short two-Test series.

Azhar Ali carried his overnight score of 65 to 83 when he was bowled by off-spinner Shuvagata to end a 227-run partnership for the second wicket with Hafeez.

That was Bangladesh’s only success in the morning session as veteran Younus Khan joined hands with Hafeez to add 62 for the third wicket before he was bowled by Taijul for 33.

Skipper Misbahul Haq put on 63 for the fourth wicket with Hafeez and 66 for the fifth with Asad Shafiq, scoring 59 before also falling to Taijul.

At stumps, Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed were both unbeaten on 51, having put on 69 for the unbroken sixth wicket.

Bangladesh used eight bowlers on the slow pitch at the Sheikh Abu Naser stadium, the most expensive being star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, whose 31 wicketless overs of left-arm spin cost 122 runs. Taijul picked up three wickets and Shuvagata claimed the other two.

Despite the difficult day in the field, Shuvagata believes Bangladesh can still salvage something from the Test. “I think we can still save this game,” he said. “I am not sure how long Pakistan will bat. But we have a good batting line-up as well. If we bat well in the second innings, saving the match is still possible.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st,  2015.

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