Pakistan in prime position to win second Test against Bangladesh

Shakib Al Hasan, the all-rounder, did make history though as he became the first Bangladeshi to score a century and bag five or more wickets in a Test.

Pakistan bowler Umar Gul, centre, celebrates he dismissal of Shahriar Nafees, right. Munir uz Zaman / AFP

DHAKA // Stuart Law, the Bangladesh coach, blamed bad fielding for his team's poor position in the second Test match against Pakistan yesterday.

The hosts were struggling at 114 for five in their second innings at stumps on the penultimate day after conceding a lead of 132.

Bangladesh's fielding remained subpar as they let off Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq in the opening session and Adnan Akmal in the second after having dropped three catches on Monday.

"Dropping catches is an area of concern for us," said Law, the Australian. "I think the bowlers are doing well and creating opportunities.

"Just before tea, we lost two wickets in two balls in decisions we felt were quite questionable. We are now 18 runs behind and if we can bat two-and-a-half sessions tomorrow, I believe we can save the match."

Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema each took two wickets to boost Pakistan's chances of winning the Test despite Shakib Al Hasan's superb all-round display.

Gul bagged two wickets off successive balls and Cheema finished the day with two for 41. Nasir Hossain was unbeaten on 30 with Mushfiqur Rahim on seven not out.

Pakistan lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Chittagong by an innings and 184 runs.

Gul dismissed free-scoring Tamim Iqbal (21) and Shahriar Nafees for no score with his last two balls before the tea break after Pakistan were bowled out for 470 in their first innings in reply to Bangladesh's 338.

Tamim, who hit Cheema for three fours in an over, looked surprised when adjudged caught by the captain Misbah at first slip while attempting to hook Gul; television replays suggested the ball had come off the helmet.

Shakib, who smashed a career-best 144 in the first innings, also impressed as a left-arm spinner as he took six for 82 to become the first Bangladeshi to score a century and bag five or more wickets in a Test.

He took five of the seven Pakistani wickets to fall in the day to complete his ninth haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.

"It was a great performance by Shakib," said the Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez. "He batted and bowled well. I really praise him as an all-rounder and he's doing a great job for Bangladesh."

"At the moment we are in a dominating position. Tomorrow we will try to get the remaining wickets as soon as possible. We are hopeful of winning the Test."

* Agence France-Presse

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