At the close Pakistan were 134 for two, 227 behind Bangladesh’s first innings total, with Taufiq Umar (60) and Inzamamul Haq (24) at the crease. The pair have so far added 50 for their unbroken third wicket stand.
Shoaib, bowling at express speed, proved too hot for Bangladesh batsmen. His destructive spell after lunch fetched him five wickets for nine runs to finish with figures of six for 50, his second-best Test figures.
Opener Javed Omar, overnight 96 not out, duly deserved his maiden Test century but his dismissal for 119, bowled by a vicious inswinging full toss from Shoaib shortly after lunch break, sparked the sensational collapse as six wickets fell for just 10 runs.
Shoaib who looked anything but menacing on the opening day was also helped by some loose stroke play by Bangladeshi batsmen on a wicket that held no terrors.
The visitors also brought their downfall by adopting a very defensive batting strategy.
Javed’s marathon vigil lasted eight-and-a-quarter hours and faced 357 balls, hitting 17 fours and putting on 130 for the third wicket with Mohammad Ashraful.
“I got the wickets through sheer pace; the wicket had nothing in it for pacers. It was hot and I had to wear the ice jacket to keep cool” said Shoaib.
The conditions were so hot that Zimbabwean umpire Russell Tiffin was forced off the field with stomach cramps and exhaustion. Pakistan’s TV umpire Asad Rauf deputised for him.
Ashraful, who made a solid 77, was Shoaib’s second scalp, mistiming a hook to be caught by Rashid Latif soon after Omar’s departure.
Dubbed as “Rawalpindi Express” Shoaib ended Bangladesh innings innings having Khaled Mahmud caught by Shabbir Ahmed, his 97th scalp in his 27th Test.
When Pakistan went in Mohammad Hafeez and Taufiq Umar put on 51 before the former played a rash stroke to be caught behind off Khaled.
Local hero Yasir Hameed, who plundered 170 and 105 at Karachi, did not last long and was bowled by left arm spinner Rafique for 23.
Pakistan were handicapped as Shoaib Malik did not field and will not take any part in the match after being forced out with a groin injury.
Scoreboard
Bangladesh (first innings)
H. Sarkar c Latif b Umer Gul 6
J. Omar b Shoaib Akhtar 119
H. Bashar lbw b Shabbir Ahmed 97
M. Ashraful c Latif b Shoaib Akhtar 77
R. Saleh c Latif b Kaneria 3
A. Kapali c Latif b Shoaib Akhtar 4
K. Mashud lbw b Shoaib Akhtar 0
K. Mahmud c Shabbir b Shoaib Akhtar 25
M. Rafique b Shoaib Akhtar 0
M. Murtaza b Umer Gul 10
A. Kabir not out 1
Extras: (b4, lb4, nb10, w1) 19
Total: 361
Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-180, 3-310, 4-315, 5-315, 6-315, 7-320, 8-320, 9-341
Bowling: Shoaib 22.5-4-50-6, Gul 27-3-67-2, Shabbir 25-7-73-1, Kaneria 41-11-110-1, Malik 12-4-27-0, Hafeez 10-4-26-0
Overs: 137.5
Pakistan (first innings)
M. Hafeez c Mashud b Khaled 21
T. Umar not out 60
Y. Hameed b Mohammad Rafique 23
Inzamamul Haq not out 24
Extras: (lb1, nb5) 6
Total: (for two wkts) 134
Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-84
To bat: Y. Youhana, S. Malik, R. Latif, S. Akhtar, S. Ahmad, D. Kaneria, U. Gul
Bowling: Mashrafe 9-3-27-0, Kabir 7-0-49-0, Mahmud 5-1-15-1, Rafique 13-4-21-1, Saleh 6-2-12-0, Ashraful 2-0-9-0
Overs: 42
Umpires: Steve Bucknor (WIS) and Russell Tiffin (ZIM)
TV umpire: Asad Rauf (PAK)
Match referee: Mike Procter (RSA).
