Hafeez lifts Pakistan as Tigers' misery on

The good news for Bangladesh cricket fans is that the Tigers are now ranked eighth pushing Pakistan in the ninth position on the ICC ODI rankings. But the bad news is that Pakistan continued to reign supreme in the longest version of the game against Bangladesh in Khulna.

At stumps on the third day, the visitors piled up a massive 537 for 5, a first innings lead of 205 runs already, thanks to a magnificent maiden double-hundred by opener Mohammad Hafeez.

Hafeez, who resumed the day on 137, surpassed his previous best of 197 against New Zealand earlier this year with a couple down to square leg. The Professor, fondly called by his teammates, was eventually out after scoring 224, which is also the highest innings by a Pakistani against Bangladesh after Mohammad Yousuf's 204 not out and Younis Khan's unbeaten 200.

On a day of run-fest against a Bangladesh attack, that lacked bite due to ineffective bowling from Shakib Al Hasan, captain Misbahul Haq (59), Asad Shafiq (51 not out) and Sarfraz Ahmed (51 not out) also hit half-centuries after Azhar Ali, the other overnight batsman, was bowled by off-spinner Shuvagoto Hom for 83.

But by the time Azhar was out he put on 227 runs with Hafeez for the second wicket, the second highest Pakistan partnership for any wicket against Bangladesh. Hafeez, who was then on 167, was not ready to resign without his unique double.

Hafeez struck 23 boundaries and three sixes in his almost flawless 332-ball innings, the only blemish of which was a confident caught behind appeal while he was on 15.

It was toil all day for the Bangladesh bowlers in hot and humid conditions. And the Pakistan approach of maintaining a healthy run-rate of 3.6 was evident even after their captain Misbah arrived at the crease following the dismissal of Younis, who paid the penalty for playing on the back foot against a delivery from left-arm spinner Taijul Islam that turned and bounced before kissing the off-stump.

Misbah is criticised for being a slow starter. But his first scoring shot just after his arrival at the wicket was a lofted straight drive for a six against Taijul. He struck another six and four boundaries before holing out top-edging a Taijul delivery down to Rubel Hossain at long leg.

Shafiq struck five boundaries for his unbeaten 103-ball 51. But Sarfraz was in attacking mood ever since he arrived at the wicket. The wicketkeeper-batsman cut, pulled and drove his way to a fluent unbeaten 51 off 54 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes against a predictable 5-4 field set by Tamim Iqbal, who was doing the captain's job in the absence of an injured Mushfiqur Rahim, still nursing a bruised ring finger.

As the fourth morning is in the horizon with Pakistan set to step up a gear, it remains to be seen how long they bat and what amount of lead they want. With an intention of not to bat again, Pakistan are expected to take the lead beyond 300, which is a reality.

Bangladesh, who are now in a position to think only of a draw, will definitely be up against an uphill task of saving the match in the next two days.