Shakib, Nafees lead Bangladesh's fightback

DHAKA, Dec 17, (AFP) - Shakib Al Hasan cracked a career-best 108 not out and Shahriar Nafees hit a solid 97 to lead Bangladesh's recovery on the opening day of the second and final Test against Pakistan in Dhaka on Saturday.

Bangladesh were struggling at 43-4 following paceman Aizaz Cheema's three-wicket burst in the morning before reaching 234-5 in their first innings at stumps, thanks to Shakib and Nafees.

The left-handed pair applied themselves remarkably well to deny Pakistan any success for 51 overs as they added 180 runs, Bangladesh's highest stand for the fifth wicket in Tests.

Nafees looked set to complete his second Test century before falling in the last session, caught behind off his gloves off paceman Umar Gul after hitting 12 fours in his 177-ball knock.

Former captain Shakib moved from 89 to 100 in one over off Gul and completed his second Test hundred when he cut the paceman for a single. His previous best was 100 against New Zealand in Hamilton last year.

Shakib has so far hit 14 fours, including three in an over off Cheema, in his 168-ball knock.

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on five when bad light stopped play.

Nafees, who swept and pulled off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez for two fours in an over, reached his seventh Test half-century when he fluently drove Gul through the covers for a boundary.

Bangladesh were in deep trouble in the morning as Cheema grabbed three wickets in a sharp eight-over opening spell after the tourists won the toss and elected to field.

Cheema dismissed opener Mohammed Nazimuddin and Mohammad Mahmudullah for no score, and Nasir Hossain for seven runs while Gul removed Tamim Iqbal for 14 in helpful conditions after a delayed start due to fog.

Nazimuddin, who scored 31 and 78 on his debut in the last Test in Chittagong, failed to open his account this time as he was trapped leg-before by Cheema in the second over of the day.

Tamim hit two successive fours off Gul before falling to the same bowler, caught hooking at fine-leg by Cheema, while Mahmudullah was bowled by a delivery that cut in sharply.

Pakistan retained the side that won the opening Test by an innings and 184 runs, while Bangladesh brought in pacemen Robiul Islam and Nazmul Hossain in place of Mohammad Ashraful and Rubel Hossain.