Azhar Ali and Younus Khan struck centuries in a 250-run third-wicket stand to put Pakistan in a commanding position after day one of the second Test against Bangladesh at Dhaka.
The pair joined forces with the tourists 58 for two, having been asked to bat first, and resolutely set about getting the innings back on track.
Younus departed for 148 in the 85th over, with Azhar (127 not out) still there at stumps as Pakistan reached the close on 323 for three.
Bangladesh made early inroads into the Pakistan top order, despite losing opening bowler Shahadat Hossain in the first over. The paceman was forced to leave the field after injuring his knee during his delivery stride.
Mohammad Shahid made the breakthrough in just the fourth over, inducing a thin outside edge from Mohammad Hafeez (eight) which was snapped up by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.
Sami Aslam fared a little better but soon followed his opening partner back to the pavilion, after holing out to Shahadat at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Taijul Islam.
Shahadat had returned to the pitch in the 17th over but, before he could resume bowling duties, slipped again during the lunch break while attempting to send down a few practice deliveries and was carried away on a stretcher.
Aslam's exit brought Younus out to join Azhar in the middle, though, and the duo swiftly quashed any hopes Bangladesh harboured of a Pakistan collapse.
Younus was creating the impetus for Pakistan, with Azhar happy to play second fiddle at the other end against an understrength Bangladesh attack deploying part-timer Soumya Sarkar as its second seamer.
Azhar suffered a scare on 18 when he was given out after edging to third slip, but was recalled to the crease after replays showed Shahid had overstepped.
He also offered two half-chances that Mominul Haque was unable to snaffle before lunch, but in the afternoon session looked more assured as he and Younus put Pakistan in firm control.
Younus' 29th Test ton arrived off 142 balls with nine fours and one six, with Azhar's eighth coming soon after off 212 deliveries with 10 fours.
Their mammoth partnership was eventually broken in the final half-hour of play, when Younus sliced an attempted cut to Shuvagata Hom, who caught it at the second time of asking at backward point.
The umpires checked for a possible no-ball before the finger was raised, but the delivery was legal and Shahid (two for 43) had his second wicket.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq joined Azhar for the final 5.1 overs, and finished unbeaten on nine - including a second-ball six over long-on off the bowling of Shakib Al Hasan.
Source: PA
