DHAKA: A pair of fifties by openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes propelled Bangladesh to begin boldly their second innings on day-4 of the first Test against Pakistan in Khulna Friday.

Bangladesh have scored 142 for no loss in 31.0 over at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium till filling this report. The hosts were trailing by 154 runs with 10 wickets remaining.

Tamim hit eighteenth half-century in his test career while Imrul his second test fifty.

Tamim scored 85 off 98 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes. Imrul scored 56 off 89 balls, hitting seven boundaries and an over boundaries.

Earlier, a haul of six wickets by Tajul Islam helped Bangladesh fold Pakistan for 628 in the visitors’ first innings in the fourth day of the test.

The visitors played 168.4 over at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium and were leading by 296 runs in the 1st innings.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed batting with 537 for five wickets on day-4. Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed had resumed batting.

Mohammad Shahid took Sarfraz Ahmed (82 off 88 balls), followed by Taijul Islam’s removing Wahab Riaz’s wicket. Wahab Riaz got duck.

Shakib Al Hasan made a timely breakthrough, removing Asad Shafiq (83 off 158 balls).

Among Bangladesh bowlers, Taijul Islam (46.4-4-163-6) was most successful. Shuvagata Hom took two while Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Shahid pocketed one wicket each.
 
Earlier, a double-ton by Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez helped Pakistan reply the Bangladesh first innings strongly.

Mohammad Hafeez hit maiden double-century in his test career, scoring 224 runs off 332 balls. He built his innings with 23 boundaries and three over boundaries at a strike rate of 67.46.

Azhar Ali, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Sami Aslam scored 83, 59, 33 and 20 runs respectively.

Bangladesh, in their first innings, scored 332 runs all out.

Mominul Haque was the top scorer with 80-run while Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan took 51, 49, 33, 32, 25 and 25 runs respectively.

Among the Pakistan bowlers, Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah were most successful by bagging three wickets each, while Hafeez and Babar got two wickets each.

On Tuesday (April 28), Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and opted to bat first in the match that kicked off at 10:00am local time.

BDST: 1202/1507 HRS, MAY 01, 2015
HB/RS/SMS