Shakib Al Hasan and Shahriar Nafees helped Bangladesh recover from the early breakthroughs and gave their side a much-needed boost on Saturday by guiding the hosts to 234-5 on the opening day of the second test against Pakistan.
The pair’s fifth-wicket stand of 180 was Bangladesh’s first century partnership in tests for more than a year.
After a delayed start to the match due to thick fog, Pakistan won the toss and opted to send Bangladesh in and they gathered almost immediate earningses when Cheema struck in the second over of the day.
Mohammad Nazimuddin was the man to depart, trapped lbw for a duck, and soon after he was followed back to the dressing rooms by fellow opener Tamim Iqbal, who was caught by Cheema off the bowling of Umar Gul for 14.
That left Bangladesh in trouble on 16 for two but worse was to follow as they also lost Mohammad Mahmudullah (nought) and Nasir Hossain (seven) in the morning session, both players falling victim to Cheema.
Cheema bowl out Mahmudullah for a first ball duck and Nasir Hossain edged a simple catch to wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal off the bowling of Cheema again.
At lunch things looked grim for Bangladesh as Pakistan reduced the home side to 54 for four, who had suffered an innings defeat in the first of the two-match series against Pakistan, but Nafees and Shakib hit back after the break.
That partnership between Nafees and Shakib was the highlight for the hosts. They saw off the tricky conditions in the first session and grew in confidence once the conditions eased out after lunch. They batted positively, ran brilliantly between the wickets and scored at a fair clip to take Bangladesh to a decent position.
Shahriar Nafees scored 97 before being caught behind by wicket keeper Adnan Akmal off the bowling of Umar Gul in last session of the day.
The visitors named an unchanged side following the innings and 184-run victory in Chittagong, while Bangladesh again dropped Mohammad Ashraful from their side. Injury also kept Rubel Hossain out of the team, meaning Robiul Islam and Nazmul Hossain were drafted into the starting XI.
Pakistan fast bowler Aizaz Cheema took 3-52, while Umar Gul claimed 2-63. Shakib Al Hasan who is on 108 and Mushfiqur Rahim who is on 5 will resume play tomorrow.
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