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Abid Ali ton for Pakistan with Test poised

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Abid Ali cracked hit his fourth Test century to help Pakistan reach 4-203 against Bangladesh.
Camera IconAbid Ali cracked hit his fourth Test century to help Pakistan reach 4-203 against Bangladesh. Credit: AP

Pakistan's fast bowlers have reduced Bangladesh to 4-39 in their second innings after Abid Ali had scored his fourth Test century to leave the first Test evenly poised after the third day.

Bangladesh had secured a 44-run lead after bowling out Pakistan for 286 on Sunday, thanks largely to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who returned figures of 7-116.

The home side then ended the day by extending their lead to 83 but they now have just six wickets remaining.

Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 91 in the first innings, was still there on 12 and Yasir Ali on eight after surviving several close calls.

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Despite the first-innings deficit, Pakistan fought back through their fast bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali, who used the short ball to precision, leaving Bangladesh in a potentially precarious position.

Afridi cracked the game open, striking twice in his third over.

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He trapped Shadman Islam leg-before for one with a ball that swung sharply and then two balls later had Najmul Hossain caught at first slip for a duck with a short ball.

His short ball again worked for him when opener Saif Hasan gave the return catch and was dismissed for 14.

Ali also got into the act, dismissing captain Mominul Haque for a duck with a leading edge, leaving Bangladesh on 4-25.

Earlier, Taijul had pegged back the Pakistan innings after the visitors began the day on 145 without loss.

Opener Abid Ali went on to top score with 133 off 282, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.

Taijul struck in the first over of the day, dismissing Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali via review with consecutive deliveries.

Shafique couldn't add any runs to his overnight total of 52.

Abid, who started the day on 93, flicked Taijul past square leg for a couple to reach his fourth century off 209 balls.

Skipper Babar Azam appeared to be in control before offspinner Mehidy Hasan's (1-68) quicker delivery rattled his stumps for 10.

Taijul used his flight and variation well to curb the aggression of Pakistan's batsmen and reaped the rewards again when he spun one sharply to dismiss Fawad Alam (8), also via review.

He also got the key wicket of Abid Ali, who had used his feet nicely against the Bangladeshi spinners, and then dismissed Hasan Ali for his ninth and second consecutive five-for.

Fahim Ashraf kept Pakistan in the game, guiding the lower order before he was last out for 38.

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