Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel scored brilliant centuries to guide Pakistan to an impressive score of 448-6 before Bangladesh finished the second day 27-0 in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Rizwan’s unbeaten 171 was his best Test score and his third century in the format, while Shakeel’s 141 was equally outstanding as the duo rescued Pakistan from a precarious 16-3 deficit on Wednesday.
Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam scored 12 and Zakir Hasan 11 and bowled 12 overs without any problems as the pitch at the Rawalpindi Stadium did not help the bowlers as expected.
Bangladesh batting coach David Hemp hoped his batsmen would be a match for their opponents.
“It’s a pretty good hitting pitch and we hope it continues that way,” said Hemp, a former Bermuda player.
“Our batsmen have to match Pakistan’s batsmen and we have to get closer to Pakistan’s total.”
Bangladesh had put Pakistan on the defensive on the first day but it was Shakeel who repaired the innings with Saim Ayub (56) through a 98-run stand at the fourth wicket before adding another 240 runs in the next innings with Rizwan as Pakistan repelled Bangladesh’s attack.
Rizwan, who hit three sixes and 11 boundaries in 239 balls, added a quick 44 along with Shaheen Shah Afridi, who hit two sixes and a boundary in his 29 not out.
This allowed Pakistan to declare their first innings 78 minutes after tea.
Shakeel said it was too early to judge the pitch.
“The ball was moving early on Wednesday but if you look at Bangladesh’s bowling, they didn’t show enough length and had they bowled the ball further they would have been more successful,” Shakeel said.
“Let our bowlers bowl tomorrow and we will have the final say on the field.”
Bangladesh failed to take a wicket in the first session as Rizwan and Shakeel batted superbly to help Pakistan reach a score of 256-4 at lunchtime.
Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz ended Bangladesh’s frustrating wait for the wicket by luring Shakeel out of the wicket, while wicket-keeper Litton Das removed the bails to complete a brilliant 261-ball knock.
Shakeel also scored his third Test century and reached nine boundaries.
Shakeel also survived a bizarre run-out attempt at 138 when he stepped out of his crease and let paceman Hasan Mahmud’s throw through, but made it back when Das hit the stumps.
Agha Salman made 19.
Pacers Hasan Mahmud (2-70) and Shoriful Islam (2-77) were Bangladesh’s best bowlers, while Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan took one wicket each.
Shakeel and Rizwan resumed play at 158-4 and scored another 98 runs in an extended morning session of two hours and 15 minutes after play on the first day was delayed by a wet outfield.
In search of early wickets, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto used all his bowlers, but none could repeat the success of the first day.
The two-match series is part of the third cycle of the World Test Championship. Pakistan is currently ranked sixth and Bangladesh eighth in the nine-team table.
