Having reached 163 for three at tea with star batsman Habibul Bashar again leading from the front, the Tigers somewhat lost their way when they lost the wickets of Bashar, Alok Kapali and Rajin Saleh just before stumps to end the day on 248 for six. Wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud was undefeated on 29 while skipper Khaled Mahmud was batting on one.

Mahmud won the toss in the morning and made the bold decision of batting first on a wicket that had enough encouragement for the pacers. But Pakistan's weakened bowling line-up in the absence of spearhead Shoaib Akhter, failed to make an early impression. Omar Gul was the only wicket taker in the morning session when he had Hannan Sarker caught behind for 13.

Pakistan made five changes from the squad that played the second Test in Multan; the most sensational being the last minute pullout of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria due to an injury. Kaneria has been Bangladesh's thorn in the flesh and has 34 wickets from five matches against the Tigers.

Top batsman Yousuf Youhana was rested and all-rounder Shoaib Malik was ruled out because of a groin injury. Opener Taufeeq Umar was another last moment injury casualty. Veteran batsman Younis Khan and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq made their Test returns while young opener Salman Butt, Farhan Adil and medium pacer Yasir Ali were given their debuts.

Bangladesh decided to rest fast bowler Mashrafee Murtaza and dropped fellow quick Alamgir Kabir. Tapash Baishya and Monjurul Islam were inserted to share the new ball.

After Bangladesh had lost their first wicket on 28, one down Bashar shared 74 runs for the second wicket with Javed Omar. The stand was broken 40 minutes into the second session when Javed Omar edged Gul to Younis at slips after scoring a patient 38 in 157 minutes with seven boundaries.

Talented Mohammad Ashraful made 12 before he was rather unlucky to be adjudged lbw when he offered no shot to a Saqlain delivery that was turning and certainly missing the leg stump.

Bashar cruised to 72, his third half century in the series, and was threatening to dictate terms when Yasir Ali drew him to a nick which a diving Rashid Latif gleefully accepted.

Bashar hit nine fours. He is the leading run-getter in the series with 376 in five innings.

The impressive Gul then sent Kapali's off stump flying as Bangladesh slumped to 179 for five.

Then came the most important partnership of the day between Saleh and former Bangladesh captain Mashud who shared 62 precious runs.

Saleh, the 19-year-old from Sylhet, reached a compact 49 before he got out under the most unfortunate of circumstances. Saleh was at the non-striker's end when Mashud played a firm drive that ricocheted off bowler Yasir Ali and dislodged the bails at Saleh's end with the youngster short of his crease.

Saleh faced 124 balls and smote eight boundaries.

Gul was Pakistan's most successful bowler taking three wickets for 71 runs from 27 overs.