BAN vs PAK: Younis, Azhar tons lift Pakistan to 323-3 on day 1

Dhaka, Bangladesh: Centuries from Younis Khan and Azhar Ali powered Pakistan to a daunting 323-3 against an undermanned Bangladesh attack on the first day Wednesday of the second test.

Younis hit a stroke-filled 148 before being dismissed shortly before stumps.

Azhar, more circumspect, was unbeaten on 127 with captain Misbah-ul-Haq on 9.

Younis and Azhar shared a 250-run stand at four an over for the third wicket, a Pakistan record against Bangladesh after the hosts dominated the opening session to reduce them to 58-2.

Younis' 29th century tied Don Bradman for 12th on the all-time test list. He smacked 11 fours and three sixes in his 195-ball knock.

Younis and Azhar bailed out Pakistan from potential danger after Bangladesh chose to bowl first on a favorable surface for the pacers.

"Because of the grass, sometimes captains look for that early moisture, (but) it was not a bad decision to win the toss and elect to field," Younis said after his sixth test century in the last nine months.

"But whenever a partnership comes to the game, you can dominate the proceedings. Myself and Azhar scored 250; it's all about the partnership."

On the way to his eighth test century, Azhar became the 16th Pakistani to reach 3,000 test runs when he made 66. Azhar hit a dozen boundaries before the bails were drawn.

"The way Bangladesh bounced back in the last game, especially on the third and fourth day, it won't be an easy task for us again," Younis said.

"The first session tomorrow is crucial for us. We have a good chance to win this game. Whatever score we get will be good for us."

With some grass on the pitch, the pacers were supposed to enjoy a good day, but Bangladesh was left one pacer short after Shahadat Hossain hobbled off the field following his second delivery.

Shahadat returned to make a running catch of Sami Aslam on 19 off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.

He was due to bowl after lunch, but while practicing on the field during the break, he twisted his right knee, was taken off on a stretcher, and ruled out of the test.

His teammates bowled tirelessly without luck, with nine players given a shot at bowling.

They created two chances, but on both occasions were ruled out because of no-balls.

"We are now short of one bowler but the wicket still is good. The spinners will get the assistance gradually, and hopefully we can bowl them out by lunch," Bangladesh fast bowler Mohammad Shahid said.

Azhar got his lifeline on 18, when he edged a delivery from Shahid to Soumya Sarkar at third slip.

Sarkar was the culprit when Younis was on 78, and gave a simple catch at short cover to Shakib Al Hasan.

Mushfiqur Rahim, who is playing with pain on his ring finger, dropped a catch off Younis when he edged a Shahid delivery. Shahid, however, got Younis cutting straight to gully on the next delivery to give the side some relief in an otherwise disappointing day.

Shahid was the most economical, with figures of 2-43 from 21 overs. Taijul took 1-102 off 30.