Sparkling hundreds from Babar Azam and Shan Masood put Pakistan in command against Bangladesh on the second day of the first Test at Rawalpindi on Saturday.
Azam scored a career best unbeaten 143 for his third successive hundred in as many Tests — fifth of a burgeoning career — while opener Shan Masood made 100 as they pulverised a hapless Bangladesh attack at Rawalpindi stadium.
At close, Azam was still batting with Asad Shafiq on 60, piling agony on the visitors during their unbroken 137-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Masood said he and Azam have done their jobs.
“We have batted our way to take the team in a strong position and hope that the remaining batsmen come and score so that we can build a good lead,” said Masood, who hailed Azam as world class.
Pakistan lead Bangladesh’s first innings total of 233 by 109 runs with six wickets intact.
Since his fighting century against Australia at Brisbane (104) in November last year, Azam has notched 102 not out and 100 not out against Sri Lanka in two Tests — making this his fourth hundred in five Tests.
In between he missed a hundred at Adelaide by a mere three runs.
But it could have been an early exit for Azam had Ebadot Hossain not dropped him off Islam at long-off when his score was only two.
That lapse cost Bangladesh dearly as Azam added an invaluable 112 for the third wicket with Masood, who also knocked his third Test century — second in successive Tests.