CHITTAGONG :
Younus Khan closed in on a century after Mohammad Hafeez hit a
career-best 143 as Pakistan strengthened their grip on the first Test
against Bangladesh on Saturday. The visitors, resuming on
132-0, reached 415-4 at the close on the second day to build up a lead
of 280 runs after bowling out Bangladesh for 135. Younus (96) was batting with Asad Shafiq (40) at the close, capping another day of domination for Pakistan in the field. The former Pakistan captain became only the fourth Pakistani cricketer to complete 6,000 runs in Tests. Bangladesh
hoped to build up some momentum after left-arm spinner Elias Sunny had
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq dismissed for 20 runs in the final
session. However, the unbroken 104-run stand between Younus
and Shafiq kept Pakistan firmly in control as they built on the
well-composed century of opener Hafeez. Hafeez, who faced
237 balls and clubbed 14 boundaries, was unlucky to be dismissed lbw,
though replays suggested the ball took a thin inside edge and hit him on
the backfoot. Resuming on 74, the right-hander completed
his fourth Test century and second against Bangladesh with a boundary
off Mahmudullah, who gave Bangladesh their first breakthrough in the
morning.The off-spinner trapped overnight batsman Taufiq Umar lbw on 61, ending his 164-run opening stand with Hafeez. Azhar Ali was the other batsman dismissed, edging paceman Shahadat Hossain to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim for 26. (Reuters)
