Saleh impressed on debut, but his dismissal sparked a collapse Pictures from Karachi

Pakistan pulled themselves together in the nick of time after Bangladesh had threatened an upset at the National Stadium.

The tourists were in a healthy position at 251-5, thanks to Habibul Bashar's 108, before debutant paceman Shabbir Ahmed tilted the match decisively in Pakistan's favour.

He took 5-48 as Bangladesh collapsed to leave his side the task of scoring 217 for victory.

They suffered a setback with the dismissal of Taufeeq Umar, but fellow newcomers Yasir Hameed and Mohammad Hafeez shared an unbroken stand of 102 by the close to leave just 105 more needed for victory on the final day.

Bangladesh were 163 runs ahead at lunch after Bashar, who had been 82 not out overnight, equalled the 108 he made against Zimbabwe in 2001.

He finally fell to leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, bringing to an end a fourth wicket stand of 111 with teenager Rajin Saleh, when he lofted a catch to mid-off.

Kaneria followed up by bowling Alok Kapali for one with a flipper in his next over, but Bangladesh continued their progress after the interval, with teenager Saleh marking his first cap with a half century.

He faced 235 balls for his 60 before Shabbir had him caught behind as he tried to drive.

Khaled Mahmud was trapped lbw first ball, and though Tapash Baisya survived the hat-trick ball he soon fell to the same bowler for five.

Mashud became Kaneria's third victim, stumped for a determined 22, before Shabbir finished the job with the wicket of Mohammad Rafique, lbw for six.

Pakistani nerves jangled again when Taufeeq was removed by Tapash Baisya for four as they began their second innings.

But Hameed, who scored 170 on the second day met the situation with some stylish strokes to reach 68 not out, with Hafeez (38) content in the supporting role.

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.