Naseem hattrick leaves Bangladesh tottering

Stumps, Day 3

Pakistan's 16-year-old pacer Naseem Shah took a hattrick as Bangladesh were reeling at 126 for six at the end of the third day of the Rawalpindi Test today.

The tearaway pacer broke a threatening third-wicket partnership by removing Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) before getting rid of nightwatchman Taijul Islam and Mahmudullah Riyad in the following two deliveries to complete his hattrick in only his third Test match.

Bangladesh later lost Mohamad Mithun too as they collapsed from 124 for two to 126 for six. Bangladesh are still trailing by 86 runs with Liton Das and skipper Mominul Haque at the crease, with tail to follow. .

Najmul was on 25 and Mominul on 23 as Bangladesh reached 99 for two after 30 overs, still trailing by 113 runs.

Tamim Iqbal was batting on 32 off 45 deliveries as Bangladesh reached 51 for the loss of opener Saif Hasan (16) at Tea on the third day of the Rawalpindi Test today.

Najmul Hossain Shanto joined Tamim in the middle as Bangladesh still trail by 161 runs. Saif, making his debut, fell to Naseem Shah for 16 but Tamim looked comfortable at the other end as the pitch played superbly for batting in this session.  

Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 445 in their first innings of the Rawalpindi Test today, leading Bangladesh by 212 runs.

Although the hosts lost seven wickets for 103 runs in the day, they have a sizable lead already. Haris Sohail's 75 was what drove Pakistan to such a big lead as the other batsmen failed to stick for long against some disciplined bowling from the Bangladeshis.

Bangladesh's three pacers took four wickets in the morning session of Day Three of the Rawalpindi Test today, but Pakistan were in a commanding position with a lead of 187 runs, having reached 420 for seven.

Abu Jayed, the most impressive of the Bangladesh bowlers on the previous day, got rid of dangerman Babar Azam for 142 off his first ball today before Ebadat removed the other overnight batsman Asad Shafiq for 65.

Rubel Hossain got his first of the innings when he had Mohammad Rizwan caught, but Harris Sohail's half-century drove Pakistan's lead.

Rubel later removed Yasir Shah for five shortly before lunch, but Pakistan's lead was already looking ominous.