Hannan Sarkar's dismissal was a setback for Bangladesh

Bangladesh's Habibul Bashar made his highest Test score for almost two years to leave the match intriguingly poised.

Bashar, who made his only Test century in November 2001, followed his first innings 71 with an unbeaten 82 as the tourists built a lead of 105.

He was well supported by debutant Rajin Saleh, who faced 93 balls for his 27 not out.

The tourists,without a win in 21 Tests, had earlier restricted Pakistan to a first innings lead of 58 by picking up their last five wickets during the morning session.

Home skipper Rashid Latif ran out of partners on 54 as Mashrafe bin Mortaza and Mohammad Rafique finished with three wickets each.

It was Pakistan's lowest total in four Tests against the Tigers and an ultimately disappointing effort following debutant Yasir Hameed's superb innings of 170 on the second day at the National Stadium.

Pace bowler Mortaza struck the first blow, trapping Misbah-ul-Haq lbw for 13, and Shoaib Akhtar was bowled by Rafique three overs later, having managed only a single.

The left-arm spinner also accounted for Shabbir Ahmed before Bangladesh skipper Khaled Mahmud weighed in with the wicket of Danish Kaneria, who gave a return catch after making eight.

Mohammad Rafique finds a way through Shoaib Akhtar's defences

The innings came to an end when a mix-up with Latif led to Umar Gul being run out for nought.

Bangladesh lost an early wicket at the start of their reply with Javed Omar falling for 13, but Bashar survived a first ball slip chance and he and Hannan Sarkar batted sensibly to put on 54.

They were separated when Sarkar attempted to sweep off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez and was lbw for 30, and Sanwar Hossain feel to Shabbir Ahmed soon after.

But that was Pakistan's last success as Bashar and Saleh saw it through to the close to leave their side in with a fighting chance.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Hameed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Misbah-ul-Haq, Rashid Latif (captain), Shoaib Akhtar, Umer Gul, Shabbir Ahmed, Danish Kaneria.

Bangladesh: Khaled Mahmud (captain), Hannan Sarkar, Javed Omar, Habibul Bashar, Sanwar Hossain, Razin Saleh, Alok Kapali, Mohammad Rafique, Kaled Mashud, Tapash Baisya, Mashrafe Bin Murtaza.