KARACHI, 24 August 2003 — Debutant Yasir Hameed produced another scintillating innings to take Pakistan close to victory over Bangladesh on the fourth day of the first Test yesterday.
Set a victory target of 217, Pakistan had reached a commanding 112 for one at the close as Hameed, on 68, and opener Mohammad Hafeez (36) shared an undefeated 102-run partnership for the second wicket. Bangladesh collapsed from a comfortable 251 for five to be bowled out for 274 in their second innings just before tea, with debutant pacer Shabbir Ahmed taking five for 48 as the last five wickets fell for 23 runs in 33 balls.
Ahmed conceded just seven runs and took four wickets to become only the seventh Pakistani bowler to take five wickets in an innings on his Test debut. That left a comfortable victory target on a slow-paced pitch for Pakistan, who took a first-innings lead of 58 after scoring 346 in reply to Bangladesh’s 288.
The second-innings collapse, despite Habibul Bashar’s second Test hundred and a resolute 60 from 231 balls by debutant Rajin Saleh, left Pakistan on course for their first Test win at the venue since beating Sri Lanka in March 2000. They lost to England later that year but no Tests have been since been played at the National Stadium because of security following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Hameed came out to bat after Pakistan had lost opener Taufeeq Umar for 10 to a smart catch by Saleh at short extra cover off Tapash Baisya and he again showed no respect for the Bangladesh bowling.
The 25-year-old from Peshawar, who made 170 in the first innings, was again in a dominating mood, reaching his half century from only 71 balls with nine fours.
Hameed again went after the bowling with some crisp drives through the off-side, wading into pacer Mashrafe Mortaza with three fours in his fourth over. Hafeez, who was dropped on 31 by wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud off Mortaza, became more cautious. Pakistan were again frustrated by the Bangladeshi batsmen in the morning as Bashar and Saleh put on 111 runs in 178 minutes. The 31-year-old Bashar reached his hundred from 212 balls with 10 fours, but fell for 108. Saleh became Ahmed’s first victim, caught behind by wicketkeeper Rashid Latif.
