1st Test, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Day 3 preview: Pakistan seek domination on pivotal third day

Pakistan have taken a massive grip on the Rawalpindi Test against Bangladesh, ending the second day with a lead of 109 with Babar Azam still unbeaten on 143 and looking good to significantly add to that score on the third day.

Bangladesh will be kicking themselves, largely because they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble if Ebadat Hossain had been a bit more composed in holding on to a chance at mid-off. Azam was on just three at the time, and that would have been a second quick wicket, after Azhar Ali had fallen shortly before to end a 91-run stand.

That passage should have put Bangladesh in control. Instead, Azam recovered and raced away to a half-century, and then a century, and with Shan Masood going strong at the other end, also scoring a century, Bangladesh were chasing plenty of leather across the venue.

The two added 112 runs for the third wicket before Masood was dismissed for a 160-ball 100, cleaned up by Taijul Islam. Had Bangladesh hoped that wicket would spark an implosion, they were mistaken. Asad Shafiq then came in to partner Azam, and scored an unbeaten half-century himself.

By the time the stumps were drawn, the two had added 137 for the fourth wicket, with the Bangladesh bowlers, largely toothless throughout the day, quickly running out of ideas. If they have the slightest hope of fighting back in this series, it is in early wickets on the third morning, and overall improvement in the bowlers’ lines and lengths as well as in the field.

They will hope to capitalise on any early-day tentativeness in the Pakistan batsman, and once they get a chance, capitalise on it and kick open the door. It could otherwise being a miserable outing for the visitors.

Key players

Babar Azam (Pakistan): After presenting that early chance to Ebadat, Azam barely put a foot wrong and was in cruise control for the most. He looks set for a double century on the third day, and Bangladesh will be sweating bricks.

Abu Jayed (Bangladesh): In a bowling attack that was largely toothless on the day, it was Abu Jayed who posed some level of threat. He was the most economical of the pacemen, and returned 2/66 in his 20 overs.

Brief scores

Bangladesh 233 in 82.5 overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 44, Mohammad Mithun 63; Shaheen Afridi 4-53, Mohammad Abbas 2-19) vs Pakistan 342/3 in 87.5 overs (Shan Masood 100, Babar Azam 143*; Abu Jayed 2/66)

Prediction

Pakistan to declare after reaching around 500.