After fast bowler Hasan Ali claimed 5-51 to dismiss Bangladesh for 330 on Saturday morning, openers Abid Ali and debutant Abdullah Shafique played out the second and third sessions comfortably on a good batting track to cut the deficit to 185 runs.

Abid, who reached the 1,000-run mark in his 15th Test, closed in on his fourth century, remaining unbeaten on 93 at stumps, owing to bad light. Shafique overcame a nervy start to finish the day on 52 not out.

Abid was fluent in his approach and glanced offspinner Mehidy Hasan for a couple to reach his third half-century off 84 balls.

Shafique brought up his 50 in style, clubbing part-timer Mominul Haque for the maximum.

Bangladesh's hope of racking up a substantial total earlier in the day was dashed by fast bowler Hasan Ali.

Ali broke Bangladesh's resistance in the first session as the home side resumed on 4-253.

His sixth five-for was well-complemented by his new ball partner Shaheen Shah Afridi who returned figures of 2-70 and medium pacer Faheem Ashraf, 2-54.

For Bangladesh, Liton Das top-scored with 114 after hitting his maiden century and Mushfiqur Rahim added 91. Mehidy Hasan was not out on 38.

Liton, starting the day on 113, added just one run before Ali had him leg-before.

Debutant Yasir Ali survived an early lbw review and finally got off the mark in international cricket after 14 deliveries with a cover-drive for four off Afridi.

But Ali tested him with short balls and finally rattled his stumps with a delivery that jagged in sharply.

Medium pacer Ashraf coaxed an edge from Mushfiqur, who reviewed the decision in vain and fell nine runs short of his eighth century.

After losing 3-22, much-needed resistance came from Mehidy Hasan who guided the lower order amid the well directed short ball barrage of Afridi and Ali.

Hasan Ali cleaned up the tail to bring an end to the innings.

Australian Associated Press