Taufeeq Umar closed in on a second successive half-century to steady Pakistan on the second day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka yesterday.


Pakistan's Taufeeq Umar. Pic/AFP

The left-handed opener, who scored 61 in the opening Test in Chittagong, was unbeaten on 44 as Pakistan reached 87-1 in their first innings at stumps after bowling out Bangladesh for 338.

Azhar Ali was 26 not out when play was called off due to bad light. Pakistan lost in-form Mohammad Hafeez before Umar and Azhar put on 64 runs for the unbroken second-wicket stand, with Umar hitting eight fours in his 79-ball knock so far.

Bangladesh paceman Nazmul Hossain, returning to the Test side after seven years, struck with his first delivery when he had Hafeez caught behind for only 14, a stark contrast to the opener's 143 in the last Test.

"Our target is to just go in there and carry on this partnership as long as we can. Our plan is to bat long," said Azhar. "It was difficult to play spinners because the ball was turning a bit."