Dhaka: Azhar Ali hit a career-best 173 not out as Pakistan moved to a commanding 428-4 by lunch on the second day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday.
Pakistan lost skipper Misbah-ul Haq in the day´s second over, bowled by Shakib Al Hasan for nine, before a run had been added to the overnight score of 323 for three.
But Asad Shafiq, who was unbeaten on 58 at the break, and Azhar denied the hosts another wicket in the morning session by adding 105 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket.
The 30-year-old Azhar, who had been reprieved by a no-ball on the first day after being caught in the slips off seamer Mohammad Shahid, has so far hit 17 boundaries.
Having twice fallen for 157 earlier in his 41-Test career, Azhar reached his highest score by edging off-spinner Shuvagata Hom just past wicket-keeper and captain Mushfiqur Rahim for a boundary.
Shafiq´s fluent knock so far has contained five fours and a six.
With seamer Shahadat Hossain sidelined with a knee injury after bowling just two balls in the match´s first over on Wednesday, Bangladesh were handicapped by a depleted attack.
Of the nine bowlers used by the hosts — skipper Rahim and Tamim Iqbal were the only ones who did not turn their arms over — Shahid was the most impressive with figures of two for 55 in 28 overs.
On Wednesday, Younis Khan made 148 during a third-wicket stand of 250 with Azhar after Pakistan had slipped to 58-2.
Pakistan are looking for their first win at the end of the month-long tour where they were routed 3-0 in the one-day series and also lost a Twenty20 international for the first time against Bangladesh.
The first Test ended in a draw in Khulna last week.
