Shahriar Nafees and Shakib Al Hasan led Bangladesh's fightback on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan after Aizaz Cheema had torn through the home side's top order.

Paceman Cheema took 3-18 as Bangladesh were reduced to 54-4 at lunch, but Nafees and Shakib shared a 180-run stand for the fifth wicket to help their side close on 234-5 in Mirpur.

All-rounder Shakib finished unbeaten on 108, his second Test century, while Nafees fell short of reaching three figures, dismissed for 97 just before stumps.

Seeking to bounce back from their mauling in the first Test, Bangladesh could hardly have suffered a worse start to the second of the two-match series.

Cheema burst

After thick fog had delayed proceedings, Pakistan won the toss and opted to send Bangladesh in and the visitors reaped almost immediate dividends when Cheema struck in the second over of the day.

Mohammad Nazimuddin was the man to depart, trapped lbw for a duck, and soon after he was followed back to the dressing rooms by fellow opener Tamim Iqbal, who was caught by Cheema off the bowling of Umar Gul for 14.

That left Bangladesh in trouble on 16 for two but worse was to follow as they also lost Mahmudullah (0) and Nasir Hossain (7) in the morning session, both players falling victim to Cheema.

At lunch things looked grim for Bangladesh, who lost by an innings and 184 runs in the first Test at Chittagong, but Nafees and Shakib hit back after the break.

The pair batted through the afternoon and appeared set to thwart the Pakistan bowlers in the evening session as well until their stand was finally broken by Gul four overs before the close.

Having seen partner Shakib reach three figures just two overs previously, Nafees looked set to follow suit but his bid for a deserved second Test ton ended in disappointment when he gloved a Gul delivery through to wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal. Nafees had faced 177 balls and struck 12 fours.

Shakib, who hit 14 boundaries in his 168-ball knock, ensured there were no more breakthroughs for Pakistan before the end, and he will start the second day alongside his skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, who is five not out.