Umar steadies Pakistan in Bangladesh Test

Dhaka: Taufeeq Umar closed in on a second successive half-century to steady Pakistan on the second day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday.

The left-handed opener, who scored 61 in the opening Test in Chittagong, was unbeaten on 44 as Pakistan reached 87-1 in their first innings at stumps after bowling out Bangladesh for 338. Azhar Ali was 26 not out when play was called off due to bad light. Pakistan lost in-form Mohammad Hafeez before Umar and Azhar put on 64 runs for the unbroken second-wicket stand, with Umar hitting eight fours in his 79-ball knock so far. Bangladesh paceman Nazmul Hossain, returning to the Test side after seven years, struck with his first delivery when he had Hafeez caught behind for only 14, a stark contrast to the opener's 143 in the last Test. Bangladesh, resuming at 234-5, earlier lost well-set Shakib Al Hasan (144) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (40) off successive balls before being bowled out in the afternoon session. The hosts were strongly placed at 305-5 before losing their last five wickets for 33, with Shakib's dismissal starting the slide. Left-handed Shakib and Rahim batted comfortably against Pakistan's pace-spin combination, adding 82 runs for the sixth wicket. Fast bowlers Gul and Aizaz Cheema each took three wickets, while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal finished with 2-64. Former captain Shakib, 108 overnight, cracked 15 fours in a superb 242-ball knock for his highest score in any form of international cricket, while Rahim hit one six and six fours in his 102-ball innings. Shahadat Hossain, dropped on five by Abdur Rehman at deep mid-wicket off Ajmal, remained unbeaten on 21 with the help of one six and two fours. Pakistan went wicketless in the morning session despite taking the second new ball immediately it was available as Shakib and Rahim helped their team add 51 runs to their overnight total after a delayed start due to fog. Rahim, five not out overnight, played some handsome shots in the morning as he slog-swept Ajmal over mid-wicket for the first six of the match and then cut left-arm spinner Rehma for a four in the next over. Pakistan lead 1-0 in the series after winning the opening Test by an innings and 184 runs. PTI