Naseem hat-trick has Bangladesh reeling

A hat-trick from Naseem Shah put a dampener on an otherwise decent day for Bangladesh as they ended on 126-6 in the first Test against Pakistan at Rawalpindi.

Naseem was the pick of the bowlers and bowled with excellent pace and control to four wickets for just 26 runs in his 8.2 overs.

Bangladesh now still trail Pakistan's first innings by 86 runs with four wickets in hand and are staring down another innings defeat with Mominul Haque not out on 37 and Liton das batting at naught.   

The day began with Pakistan batting and in complete control with Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq batting.

But the very first ball of the day gave Bangladesh a wicket as Babar – on 143 – was dismissed by Abu Jayed.

A few overs later, Asad Shafiq was dismissed for 65 by Ebadot Hossain and two more Pakistan wickets as the first session ended with Pakistan on 420-7.

In the second session, the Bangladesh bowlers continued the good work as Pakistan were all out for 445.

But by then, the lead had swelled up to 212 runs as Haris Sohail scored 75 off just 103 deliveries in an attacking innings that had seven boundaries and two sixes.

For Bangladesh, Abu Jayed and Rubel Hossain took three wickets each.

In reply Bangladesh started with positive intent as openers Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hassan played their shots.

But Saif was soon undone by a fast length delivery from Naseem Shah that nipped back and castled him for 16.

Tamim was the next to go as he was lbw by a Yasir Shah spinner which the left-hander played across and missed.

From there, Captain Mominul and Najmul Hossain Shanto formed a promising partnership of 71 runs to give Bangladesh hope of easily avoiding a follow on.

But just before the close of play, Naseem was brought back and he struck thrice to take the wickets of Shanto, Taijul Islam and Mahmudullah, to take a hat-trick.

The score went from 124-2 to 124-5 in a matter of minutes and whatever good work was done by Bangladesh throughout the day was undone here.

The last wicket to ball before the end of play was of Mohammad Mithun, the top-scorer of the first innings as Bangladesh were left with a mountain to climb to avoid an innings defeat.