Pakistan left Bangladesh in a troublesome position at 107-5 at stumps on the second day of the second Test on Thursday, raising the prospect of ending their win drought in the tour after Azhar Ali's maiden double century helped them declare the first innings on 557-8.
Trailing by 450 runs, Bangladesh still need 251 runs to avoid the follow-on with Shakib Al Hasan batting on 14.
The dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim (12) in the penultimate ball of the day, which prompted the umpires to draw the bails for the day, extended the agony of the hosts in a disappointing day.
Imrul Kayes scored 32 while Mahmudullah made 28. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah (2-15) and fast bowler Junaid Khan (2-26) picked up two wickets each.
Pakistan rode three centuries to take command of the final Test.
Azhar Ali was dismissed on 226 after his first double century helped the side pile up a huge total. Veteran Younis Khan added 148 while Asad Shafiq made 107.
Azhar reached his double century by smashing a six off left arm spinner Shakib. On his marathon 428-ball knock, he hit 20 fours and one more six.
Shakib removed Misbah-ul-Haq on his overnight 9 in the second over of the day to give the hosts a perfect start, and provide encouragement that the pitch was starting to take early spin.
However the reduced Bangladesh attack – opening bowler Shahadat Hossain was injured on only the second ball of the match – was foiled by Asad Shafiq and Azhar.
Azhar shared a 207-run partnership with Shafiq, who brought up his sixth Test century playing a fluent knock. He struck nine fours and one six in his 107 off 167.
Off-spinner Shuvagata Hom removed both of the batsmen in consecutive overs to stem Pakistan’s run flow.
Bangladesh then dealt a double blow with Taijul Islam dismissing Wahab Riaz (4) and Yasir Shah (0) in the last over before the tea break.
Taijul Islam was the best of the bowlers with 3-179 from his 51 overs while Mohammad Shahid and Shuvagata took two wickets apiece.
Pakistan declared their innings after tea to give their attack ample time to bowl out the hosts and had immediate success as fast bowler Junaid Khan removed Tamim Iqbal, a double centurion in the previous Test, on 4.
Junaid later got Mominul Haque (13), who tried to chase behind a delivery outside off-stump.
Wahab Riaz gave Junaid a hand, dismissing Mahmudullah, while Yasir Shah left Bangladesh in trouble by dismissing Kayes and Rahim.
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