KARACHI, Aug 21: He came, he saw, he conquered. That’s a fitting expression to describe Yasir Hameed’s breathtaking entry into Test cricket with a record-breaking 170 against Bangladesh at the National Stadium here on Thursday.

In sharp contrast to Yasir’s dramatic debut Inzamam-ul-Haq had no such luck on his comeback as Pakistan batted themselves to a position of some strength to edge ahead by 13 runs on the second day of the first Test.

By close of play, the home side were 301 for six after Bangladesh added another 10 runs to their overnight first innings score of 278 for nine.

Rashid Latif, the Pakistan captain, showed no ill-effect of a finger injury, sustained while keeping on Wednesday, to help himself to an unbeaten 27 in the closing overs. Misbah-ul-Haq, meanwhile, laboured for 83 minutes for an undefeated 12.

But Yasir it was who merited tribute from everyone privileged enough to witness an innings of rare quality that surpassed a national record held for almost 39 years.

Khalid ‘Billy’ Ibadulla was the first Pakistani to hit a century on Test debut when he made 166 against Australia on the very same ground on Oct 24, 1964. His opening partner Abdul Kadir nearly joined him in the exalted company but fell for 95.

Yasir, the 25-year-old Peshawar-born right-hander, not only became the ninth Pakistani, and the 76th player in 1655 Tests — before the start of fourth Test between England v South Africa at Headingley on Thursday — to make a century on first Test appearance, but also bettered Ibadulla’s landmark by four runs.

It was appropriate that two of Yasir’s compatriots in that exclusive club, coach Javed Miandad and team-mate Taufiq Umar, were present in the dressing room to appreciate his tremendous achievement. It may be argued that Bangladesh, the most inexperienced of Test nations, lack a first-rate bowling attack which belittles Yasir’s accomplishment.

Yasir ensured that the faith the selectors and the team management had put in him was going to be repaid with rich dividends.

He grabbed the opportunity with both hands and produced an innings that will be talk of the town for a long time to come. Blessed with a pair of supple wrists, Yasir couldn’t have chosen a more opportune moment to exhibit skills that awaited a while for an opening.

Yasir launched his innings in style with a sweetly timed boundary through extra-cover off the fifth delivery he faced from Mashrafe Mortaza, the fastest of the Bangladeshi bowlers who had opener Mohammad Hafeez, another debutant, caught at point for only two.

Yasir was soon into his stride driving, pulling and cutting on a pitch that had now turned slightly brownish and lost nip as well. Taufiq lost in comparison and was comfortably outscored by his partner when lunch was taken with Pakistan at 72 for one. However, by then, the left-hander had the satisfaction of becoming the 38th batsman from Pakistan to reach 1,000 Test runs.

Yasir completed a maiden 50 off 80 balls with an exquisite cover drive, his ninth four, and celebrated the milestone with two more boundaries in the same over from Mashrafe.

Taufiq was out shortly afterwards, driving uppishly slow left-armer Mohammad Rafique into Javed Omar’s lap at point. The second wicket partnership yielded 97 runs with Taufiq’s 94-ball 38 lasting 127 minutes and including three boundaries.

Inzamam was given a warm reception when he strode out to the middle but after a near miss to the first delivery he received from Rafique, the master left in hushed silence in the next over, clipping Tapash Baisya, the medium-pacer, casually to Rajin Saleh at mid-wicket.

It was not only heartbreaking for the great player himself but also for his many admirers at the way he got out after a five-month absence from the scene. A player of Inzamam’s stature can’t be expected to remain in such a state of mind for this long. It’s just that he’s currently going through a bad patch.

Yousuf Youhana then joined Yasir in the biggest stand of the day — 131 in 141 minutes for the fourth wicket with the latter already reaching his century before tea, sweeping leg-spin of Alok Kapali fine for his 18th boundary. He batted for just over three hours (183 minuets) and faced 146 balls for the coveted three-figure benchmark.

Youhana, the Pakistan vice-captain, played second fiddle to Yasir in the partnership before he tamely hit a full-toss from part-timer spinner Rajin Saleh back to the bowler. His 46 came off 125 balls and included six fours.

Yasir, meanwhile, soon crossed the 150-mark in four hours and 35 minutes, needing 228 balls and 22 fours. But just after overhauling Ibadulla’s long-standing record, he finally fell, pulling Mashrafe straight to mid-wicket where Rafique gratefully accepted the catch on second attempt.

The sparse crowd rose to give Yasir a standing ovation. Yasir played strokes all around the wicket, mostly off the front foot. His footwork was exemplary and timing just perfect. The best thing about his batting was that his head remained still when the bat made contact with the ball.

Earlier, Shabbir Ahmed, the fast bowler, claimed the last Bangladeshi wicket after play got under way in gloomy conditions. However, the sun shone for the first time in the game when Yasir arrived at the crease and continued for the rest of the day as the young man made hay and carved a niche for himself in the cricketing history.

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH (1st Innings, overnight 278-9):