Mahmud's performance was a timely answer to his critics Photos from Multan

Bangladesh hold the upper hand after Mohammad Rafique and Khaled Mahmud skittled Pakistan's batting line-up.

Medium pacer Mahmud claimed 4-37, the best figures of his Test career, but he was out-done by spinner Rafique, who ran through the tail to finish with 5-36.

The day began badly when they lost their last four first innings wickets for 33, and they encountered early problems in the final session after bowling out Pakistan in just 54.4 overs.

The tourists lost four early wickets and their hopes of a first Test victory suffered a further blow when Alok Kapali was forced to retire hurt after being hit on the helmet by a lifter from Shabbir Ahmed.

They ended the day 183 runs to the good, with Rajin Saleh unbeaten on 29, but will be conscious that they led on first innings in the second Test before ultimately losing by nine wickets.

Shabbir took three wickets in six balls during the morning session to polish off Bangladesh's lower order.

But Pakistan's reply was disappointing with Yasir Hameed and Younis Khan sharing the only sizeable partnership as they added 71 for the fourth wicket.

Manjurul Islam and Tapash Baisya were expensive with the new ball for Bangladesh, but Mahmud brought himself on as first change and picked up two wickets in successive overs.

Yasir Hameed is struck a painful blow during his innings

He had debutant Salman Butt caught behind for 12 and then trapped Mohammad Hafeez lbw for 21 as Pakistan went in to lunch on 50-2.

They lost another wicket immediately after the resumption as Inzamam-ul-Haq (10) gave a catch to Hannan Sarkar off Mahmud.

Hameed and Younis laid the foundation for a recovery, but Rafique brought their stand to an end by bowling Hameed for 39.

Younis followed for 34 when a thin inside edge to a ball from Mahmud was taken by Khaled Mashud behind the stumps and Farhan Adil (25) was the only Pakistan batsman to reach double figures thereafter before he was lbw to Rafique for 25.

Pakistan were stung by finding themselves 106 in arrears and Umar Gul soon had Bangladesh 9-3 as he sent back Sarkar and Habibul Bashar, both for three.

Mohammad Ashraful also went cheaply and although Javed Omar survived for over an hour to make 16, he eventually edged Shabbir to Inzamam at slip.

Kapali's painful misfortune came in the penultimate over, but the day ended with a boundary for Bangladesh as Saleh deflected the ball down to third man.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Farhan Adil, Younis Khan, Rashid Latif (captain), Saqlain Mushtaq, Umer Gul, Shabbir Ahmad, Yasir Ali