Hundreds from Younis, Azhar propel Pakistan

Pakistan rode on centuries from Azhar Ali and Younis Khan to end the first day of the 2nd test against Bangladesh on the driver's seat at Mirpur stadium today.

Azhar Ali struck the eighth hundred of his career and remained unbeaten at the crease for 127 runs.

He faced 258 balls and belted thirteen boundaries in his knock. Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq was giving him company with nine runs to his name.

Mohammad Shahid was the most potent bowler for Bangladesh, and he picked up two wickets for 43 runs in 21 overs.

His inspired spell early in the first session kept the Pakistan batters honest, and looked the most threatening of all Bangladeshi bowlers on the first day.

He came back late in the day with the second new ball to dismiss Pakistan's Younis Khan. Younis placed his team in a strong position during the first day of this test with his brilliant knock of 148 runs and a partnership of 250 for the 3rd wicket with Azhar Ali.

Younis faced 195 balls and struck eleven 4s and three 6s before being caught at gully by Shuvagata Hom.

He used the sweep as well as his feet to dictate terms to the Bangladesh spinners, and kept the scoreboard ticking with ease on the placid pitch at Mirpur.

Sami Aslam was the second wicket to fall for Pakistan when he was enticed by Taijul Islam by a looped up delivery to go for a lofted shot.

Sami went down the track and only managed to hit the ball down the throat of Shahadat Hossain. Sami scored 19 runs with two boundaries in his knock.

First test's double centurion Mohammad Hafeez failed to get going as his lazy prod at a ball outside the off-stump brought his demise for eight runs early in the first session.

Mohammad Shahid's delivery angled in on a back of a length and shaped away with extra bounce which Hafeez played tentatively without moving his feet, only managing to nick it to the keeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

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

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