The reason for Pakistan’s dominant batting display in the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh was because the visitors succeeded in attacking the hosts’ main bowler Sakib al Hasan, said Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez on Thursday. Hafeez, resuming on 137, stroked a masterful maiden double-hundred to help the tourists get a grip over the hosts inside three days of the first Test match at Khulna.
The right hander scored 224 runs that helped them to reach 537-5 in reply to Tigers 332, giving them a lead of 205 runs in their first innings at the end of days play.
Bangladesh struggled heavily as their premier spinner Sakib failed to put any pressure on the opponents.
The left-arm spinners figure stands on 31-3-122-0 after the end of third days play.
Sakib’s team-mates could not rise to the occasion either as none of the bowlers could pose any threats that worsened the situation for the Tigers.
‘It was our plan to attack Sakib,’ Hafeez told reporters.
‘I think he was trying to do a bit too much. We wanted to get after him because he is the main bowler of their side,’ said Hafeez.
The right handed batsman was going through some tough times prior to the Test series as he managed to put only 34 runs in total from three one-day internationals and the lone Twenty20 match against Bangladesh.
But he responded in style by plundering 224 runs with the help of 23 boundaries and three sixes before being dismissed by Shuvagato Hom.
‘I am happy to score my first double hundred,’ said Hafeez.
‘There was pressure on me after struggling in the ODIs but grateful to make my contribution through my first double century that also helped my team to take a grip in the match,’ said Hafeez.
Hafeez, who became the sixth Pakistani batsmen to score three consecutive hundreds in as many Test matches was also satisfied that his team-mates did their tasks according to their plans.
‘I think there were times when Bangladesh bowled negatively by keeping all their fielders at the boundary line,’ said Hafeez.
‘We did not want to lose the grip of the match by losing our wickets at that point searching for big hits.
‘It was really important to stay at the wicket without losing our heads and we managed to do that so it helped us in coming to this position.
‘I think a lead over 300 would be substantial and we want to make sure that bowlers also get sufficient time,’ he said.
-With New Age input
