Dhaka, Bangladesh: Pakistan's Azhar Ali hit his maiden double century as Pakistan declared its innings on 557-8 at tea on the second day of the second cricket test against Bangladesh on Thursday.
Azhar, who reached his double century by smashing a six off left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, was dismissed on 226 after holing out to long off.
On his marathon 428-ball knock, he hit 20 fours and one more six.
Sarfraz Ahmed was batting on 21 at the interval.
Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan removed Misbah-ul-Haq on his overnight 9 in the second over of the day to give the hosts a perfect start, and provide encouragement that the pitch was starting to take early spin.
However the reduced Bangladesh attack — opening bowler Shahadat Hossain was injured on only the second ball of the match — was foiled by Asad Shafiq and Azhar.
Azhar shared a 207-run partnership with Asad, who brought up his sixth test century playing a fluent knock. Asad struck nine fours and one six in his 107 off 167.
The partnership propelled Pakistan to a position of dominance.
Off-spinner Shuvagata Hom removed both of the batsmen in consecutive overs to stem Pakistan's run flow.
Bangladesh then dealt a double blow with Taijul Islam dismissing Wahab Riaz (4) and Yasir Shah (0) in the last over before the tea break.
Taijul Islam has been the best of the bowlers with 3-179 from his 51 overs while Mohammad Shahid and Shuvagata took two wickets apiece.
