Umar puts Pakistan in strong position

Dhaka: Taufeeq Umar rode his luck to crack 130 as Pakistan boosted their chances of gaining the first-innings lead on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Monday.

The left-handed opener hit 16 fours in his seventh Test century, and the second against Bangladesh, as Pakistan reached 292-3 in their first innings at stumps in reply to the hosts` 338. Pakistan are now just 46 runs behind with seven wickets in hand. Umar put on 127 for the second wicket with Azhar Ali (57) and 95 for the next with Younis Khan, who remained unbeaten on 48. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was 26 not out when bad light stopped play. Paceman Nazmul Hossain, who returned to the Test side after seven years, struck with the second new ball when he had Umar caught by Shahriar Nafees at second slip in the last session. Pakistan lost just two wickets in the day, adding 205 runs to their overnight total of 87-1 after a delayed start due to fog. Bangladesh also failed to make the most of the chances that came their way, letting off Umar thrice and Younis once. The first opportunity came when Umar was on 56, but wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim did not even try to effect a stumping off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan while confidently appealing for a catch down the leg-side. Umar was lucky to survive on 66 when he cut the first ball after the lunch break off paceman Robiul Islam, but Mohammed Nazimuddin dropped an easy catch at gully. He was on 118 when Nafees failed to hold on to the edge at short-leg off left-arm spinner Elias Sunny, while Younis was dropped on 15 by Shahadat Hossain off Nasir Hossain. Umar, 44 overnight, went on to complete his hundred when he cut off-spinner Mohammad Mahmudullah for a four in the second session. He played some aggressive shots after reaching his century, driving Sunny through the covers for two successive boundaries. Bangladesh, who went wicketless in the opening session, struck in the fourth over after lunch when Shakib had Azhar caught behind with a delivery that turned away sharply. Shakib was the most impressive bowler, conceding just 28 runs in his 18 overs. Azhar, who hit paceman Shahadat for two fours in the opening over of the day, reached his half-century with a boundary off Sunny in the last over of the morning session. He hit seven fours in his 12th half-century in 18 Tests. Pakistan lead 1-0 in the series after winning the opening Test in Chittagong by an innings and 184 runs. Bureau Report