Pakistan pile 537 runs at the end of day three

Pakistan ended day three on 537/5 on the back of Mohammad Hafeez's maiden double ton, fifties from Misbah ul Haq, Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed and a lack-luster bowling performance from Bangladesh at Khulna Stadium today.

The visitors gained the upper hand in the first innings of the match as they batted positively on the placid pitch at Khulna and kept the Bangladesh bowlers at bay. The key to Pakistan's massive total was substantial partnerships from the top-order as all the batsmen got stuck into the toothless bowling from Tigers.

Taijul Islam was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh as he picked up three wickets for 116 runs from 36 overs. Shuvagata Hom captured two wickets giving away 112 runs in 32 overs.

Asad Shafiq was unbeaten on 51 runs from 103 balls (five 4s) at stumps on day three with Sarfraz Ahmed giving him company with his forceful knock of 51 runs from 54 balls (three 4s, two 6s).

After reaching his maiden double ton in test matches, Mohammad Hafeez started to up the ante but was dismissed by Shuvagata Hom for 224 runs. He faced 332 balls and fluently struck 23 fours in his marathon innings. Hafeez cleared the ropes three times to the delight of his teammates in the dressing room.

He was instrumental in the top-order partnerships of 50, 227, 62 and 63 runs having opened the innings for Pakistan on day two. His highest score enabled his team to dominate proceedings in the first innings of this test match.

Younis Khan was the second wicket to fall after a 62 run partnership with Mohammad Hafeez. Taijul Islam's jaffer pitched on middle, beat Younis's outside edge and crashed into the off stump. Younis scored 33 runs from 68 balls and struck four boundaries in his knock.

The first wicket of the first session of day three was taken by Shuvagata Hom as his quicker delivery went past Azhar Ali's defence and crashed into the middle stump.

Azhar Ali's sedate knock of 83 runs from 177 balls was crucial in giving his team a good platform in the first innings and contributed to the 227 runs partnership with Mohammad Hafeez. Azhar struck four boundaries and a six in his knock. A sudden loss of concentration deprived him of his eighth hundred in test match cricket.

Bangladesh Team

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(Captain, Wicketkeeper), Soumya Sarkar, Shuvagata Hom, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain and Mohammad Shahid

Pakistan Team

Mohammad Hafeez, Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (Wicketkeeper), Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Junaid Khan, and Zulfiqar Babar