Umar, Azhar hit half-centuries

Dhaka: Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali hit half-centuries as Pakistan reached 139-1 in their first innings at lunch in reply to Bangladesh`s 338 on the third day of the second and final Test in Dhaka today.

Left-handed opener Umar was unbeaten on 66 at the break for his second successive Test half-century while Azhar was 52 not out as the tourists added 52 runs to their overnight total of 87-1 after a delayed start due to fog. The pair has so far put on 116 runs for the unbroken second-wicket stand. Umar, who scored 61 in the opening Test in Chittagong, completed his 13th half-century in 37 Tests with a single of paceman Nazmul Hossain. He has so far cracked nine fours in his 141-ball knock. Azhar, who hit fast bowler Shahadat Hossain for two fours in the opening over of the day, reached his 12th Test half-century with a boundary off left-arm spinner Elias Sunny in the last over of the morning session. Bangladesh had a chance to remove Umar 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. Pakistan lead 1-0 in the series after winning the opening Test by an innings and 184 runs. PTI