Chittagong Test: Ali scores a century, but Bangladesh’s spinners level the score.

CHITTAGONG (AFP) – Abid Ali scored his fourth Test century, but spinners struck quickly to keep Bangladesh’s hopes alive at lunch on the third day of their match against Pakistan on Sunday.

Taijul Islam took three wickets, including back-to-back ones in the opening over of the first Test in Chittagong, as Bangladesh kept the tourists at bay.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz took the other wicket after Ali scored his century with a single off Taijul to remain unbeaten at the interval on 127 after commencing his innings on 93.

Pakistan started on 145-0 and appeared to be on track for a large total until Taijul caught debutant Abdullah Shafique leg-before in the sixth ball of the day.

Shafique departed without adding to his overnight total of 52.

When the delivery hit Azhar Ali on the foot, Taijul dismissed him for a duck on the following ball.

Azhar was initially barred from leaving the country, but the decision was changed after further examination.

In Taijul’s following over, Babar Azam saw off the hat-trick ball, but he did not last long.

After Pakistan’s captain had hit only 10 runs, Mehidy uprooted his off-stump with a straight delivery.

Taijul took his third wicket as he used spin to dismiss Fawad Alam for eight runs.

After the umpire denied a confident caught-behind claim, Bangladesh requested a review.

According to the footage, the ball made a light contact on Alam’s glove, terminating his brief time at the crease.

Ali, who has so far hit 11 fours and two sixes, was also fortunate to live after being dropped at slip by Najmul Hossain off Taijul at 113.