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Hafeez double ton puts Pakistan on top

Batsman hits career best 224 to help build a commanding lead over Bangladesh

Opener Mohammad Hafeez has hit a career best 224 as Pakistan piled up a mammoth 5-537 at stumps on the third day of the first cricket Test against Bangladesh.

Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Khan both remained not out on 51, steering Pakistan's lead to 205. Bangladesh was bowled out for 332 in its first innings.

Azhar Ali scored 83 while captain Misbah-ul-Haque hit 59 on a day when the visitors made Bangladesh toil on an unthreatening wicket.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh with 3-116 and off-spinner Shuvagata Hom returned figures of 2-112.

Hafeez achieved his maiden double-century after coming so close in his previous Test against New Zealand last year when he made 197.

The opener smashed 23 fours and three sixes in his 332-ball knock before he was dismissed by off-spinner Hom while trying a sweep.

Hafeez shared three significant partnerships to establish Pakistan's dominance, adding 227 with Azhar, 62 with Younis Khan and 63 with Misbah.

Azhar scored a patient 83 off 177 balls, hitting four fours and one six before he became Hom's first victim.

Younis Khan made 33 and looked set for a big innings until he was dismissed by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq showed an urgency to increase the run rate, striking four fours and two sixes before getting dismissed to a sweep shot against Taijul.

While Sarfraz picked up his fifth Test half-century in quick fashion - hitting four fours and two sixes off just 53 balls - Shafiq earned his 11th 50 off 98 balls.