Pakistan dominate Bangladesh on day one

Pakistan's openers swiftly closed in on Bangladesh's below-par first
innings total on the first day of the first Test in Chittagong.

After Bangladesh were skittled for just 135 runs inside 52 overs, Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar hit unbeaten half-centuries to guide the tourists to 132 without loss at stumps.

Hafeez hit nine fours as he closed on 74 not out - his seventh Test fifty - while Taufeeq racked up his 12th Test half century on his way to a seven-boundary 53no.

Taufeeq was given a life when he was dropped on 48 by Shahadat Hossain, a moment that summed up a dismal day for the Bangladeshis, who earlier had seen their innings last just two sessions.

Nasir Hossain's 41 was the highlight of a dismal effort by the hosts.

Abdur Rehman was the pick of the Pakistan attack with three wickets for the loss of just nine runs, and it was his removal of Nasir that ended Bangladesh's misery just before tea.

Saeed Ajmal (three for 40), Aizaz Cheema (two for 35) and Umar Gul (two for 33) were also among the wickets for the tourists.

The carnage began when Tamim Iqbal departed for nine, edging a Cheema delivery into the gloves of Adnan Akmal with the score on 17.

Shahriar Nafees failed to register before he was caught in the slips by Younus Khan to give Cheema a second wicket.

Bangladesh were then reduced to 20 for three when Mohammad Ashraful departed for one, caught behind off Gul, and it was 28 for four when Mushfiqur Rahim was trapped lbw by Ajmal.

Shakib Al Hasan at least took a little time at the crease, allowing the score to move on to 47, but he too failed to get out of single figures as he was caught at square leg by Hafeez off Abdur Rehman for eight.

Opener Mohammad Nazimuddin made it to lunch unbeaten on 27 but he added just four more runs before he was caught by Hafeez at third slip off Gul.

Mohammad Mahmudullah provided some resistance with a 31-ball 18 that ended when Ajmal trapped him lbw, while Elias Sunny's removal for two reduced the hosts to 97 for eight.

Nasir and Shahadat took Bangladesh into three figures before the latter was bowled between bat and pad by Rehman with the score on 118.

Nasir, meanwhile, was able to finally take the fight to the Pakistan attack, smashing seven fours and a six to move the score past 130 before being dismissed nine runs shy of his half-century.

PA