Pakistan tighten grip after Bangladesh collapse

Pakistan eased to 99-1 in their first innings after spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Danish Kaneria ripped through the Bangladesh batting line-up on the opening day of the second Test on Wednesday.

Saqlain finished with 5-35 -- his 12th career five-wicket haul -- and Kaneria weighed in with 4-62 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 148 by the tea interval.

The home side reduced Pakistan to 12-1 when opener Shadab Kabir (4) was caught behind by captain Khaled Mashud off Mohammad Sharif after just 5.3 overs of the visitors' reply.

But Taufiq Umar and Younis Khan both hit 47 not out to guide Pakistan to within sight of a first innings lead at stumps.

Bangladesh, who lost the first Test in Dhaka by an innings and 78 runs, lost their last nine wickets for 91 runs.

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis began the day by having opener Mohammad Al-Sahariar caught behind for 13 in the seventh opener with the score on 21.

Javed Omar and new batsman Mehrab Hossain took the score to 57 before Omar (17) popped up a catch to Taufiq at silly mid-off off Saqlain.

The off-spinner, who was below-par in the Dhaka Test, then found his rhythm to send back Habibul Bashar (2), Sanwar Hossain (11), Mashud (28) and Sharif (0).

Kaneria dismissed Mehrab (16), Aminul Islam (25), Enamul Haque (0) and Fahim Muntasir (9) to add to his nine-wicket match haul in the first Test.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, returning to the Pakistan side in place of the injured Wasim Akram after twice being cleared of throwing, bowled six overs for 15 runs.

Bangladesh, cricket's newest Test nation, have lost nine of their first 10 Test matches, and were only saved by rain in the other.

Pakistan's tour includes two Tests and three one-day internationals.

Also read:
1st Test: Kaneria inspires Pakistan to innings victory

Mail Cricket Editor