Omar attempts to hook a short ball from Shoaib Akhtar

Bangladesh enjoyed one of their best days since being granted Test status as Javed Omar and Habibul Bashar tamed the Pakistan attack.

The overall scoring rate was less than three an over but that was of no consequence to the tourists, who have lost 21 of their 22 Tests so far.

Bashar, who made 108 in the first Test, just missed out on another century when he was dismissed for 97 after putting on 167 with Omar - a record partnership for Bangladesh.

Omar ended the day on 96 not out, having been denied the chance to reach three figures as partner Mohammad Ashraful blocked out the final over from leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

A lifeless pitch and stifling heat made it a tough day for the home side, with paceman Shoaib Akhtar only able to bowl 11 overs in the day after being taken ill before tea.

Pakistan went into the game with all-rounder Shoaib Malik in their side at the expense of Misbah-ul-Haq, while Bangladesh recalled Ashraful and gave a first cap to Alamgir Kabir.

With his side 1-0 down in the three-match series, skipper Khaled Mahmud chose to bat first after winning the toss.

Maybe for the bowlers it was hard bowling on a pitch which is excellent for batting Habibul Bashar

It did not take long for the first setback to arrive as Hannan Sarkar was caught behind for six off pace bowler Umar Gul.

But Pakistan had to wait another 60 overs for their second success as Omar and the more aggressively inclined Bashar kept them at bay.

Omar survived a sharp chance to silly point on 36 but went past his previous best score of 85 not out, with the help of
16 boundaries.

Pakistan looked short of ideas as Rashid Latif rotated his bowlers in the hope of a breakthrough but Shabbir Ahmed finally came good when he had Bashar lbw.

Ashraful was in no mood to waste Bangladesh's excellent start, however, and he batted with care to keep Omar company over the final 24 overs of play, finishing unbeaten on 34.

Bangladesh have been challenged to score over 300 in an innings by coach Dav Whatmore, having failed to do so since November 2001.

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

Bangladesh: Khaled Mahmud (captain), Hannan Sarkar, Javed Omar, Habibul Bashar, Rajin Saleh, Mohammad Ashraful, Alok Kapali, Khaled Mashud, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Rafique, Alamgir Kabir.

Umpires: S A Bucknor and R B Tiffin.